“The Rise and Fall of Justice: Exploring Jamie Foxx’s Captivating Performance in the Courtroom Drama”

The Burial: A Mississippi Courtroom Drama

Introduction

In “The Burial,” directed by Maggie Betts and starring Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx, viewers are taken on a fact-based journey into the world of funeral homes and the exploitations of Big Funeral. Set in Mississippi, the film explores themes of justice, integrity, and the racial biases that underlie the American way of death.

A Sentimental Opening

The film opens with a sentimentality that some viewers may find unnecessary and off-putting. It introduces Jeremiah O’Keefe, a funeral-home proprietor with eight locations, who finds himself in financial trouble due to some poor business decisions. At his 75th birthday party in 1995, O’Keefe tries to sell some of his facilities to a death-care mega-corporation, but when the corporation withholds paperwork, O’Keefe is faced with potential bankruptcy.

A Twist in the Story

However, the story takes an interesting turn when a young Black lawyer working with O’Keefe recruits the very wealthy and flashy Willie Gary, also a Black lawyer, to join the case. The strategy behind this choice is that O’Keefe’s lawsuit will appeal to a mostly Black jury. This twist reveals the ugly racist angle present in the exploitations of Big Funeral and challenges the integrity of the American funeral industry.

A Lively Courtroom Drama

Directed by Maggie Betts from a script she wrote with Doug Wright, “The Burial” evolves into a lively courtroom drama with wide-ranging pertinence. The performances by Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones are as expected – brimming with bravura. However, instead of overshadowing the material, they take it seriously and infuse it with nuance. Jurnee Smollett, playing Gary’s female counterpart for the defense, impresses with her portrayal of intelligence, and Bill Camp delivers an underhanded, clever performance reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s role in “A Few Good Men.”

Exploring Justice and Integrity

“The Burial” raises important questions about justice and integrity in the face of corporate exploitation. It forces viewers to confront the racial biases that underpin the American way of death and exposes the dark underbelly of the funeral industry. The film invites philosophical discussions about the commodification of death, the morality of profit-seeking in grief, and the need for transparency and ethical practices in the funeral business.

Editorial: Challenging the Funeral Industry

By shedding light on the exploitations of Big Funeral, “The Burial” invites a critical examination of the funeral industry as a whole. It compels us to question how we perpetuate a system that prioritizes profit over the well-being of grieving families. The film’s exploration of racial biases also demands that we address the intersection of race and death, and work to dismantle discriminatory practices within the industry.

Conclusion: A Compelling Film to Watch

“The Burial” is a compelling film that delves into the complex world of funeral homes, justice, and racial biases. By weaving together a fact-based story with captivating performances, the film provides viewers with an opportunity to reflect on the funeral industry’s shortcomings and the need for change. As we grapple with questions of integrity, transparency, and the commodification of death, “The Burial” challenges us to reimagine a more ethical and inclusive funeral industry.