What’s It About
When a handshake deal goes sour, funeral home owner Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. Gary (Jamie Foxx) to save his family business. Tempers flare and laughter ensues as the unlikely pair bond while exposing corporate corruption and racial injustice in this inspirational, triumphant story.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
I must admit that I had never heard of Willie E Gary. But like most true stories involving Black people, our greatness was never the concern of this country. So when stories like this one come out, a lot of people are taken aback and wondering what took so long or why this is the first time they’re hearing about it. My answer is don’t waste your time wondering, and be thankful that there are writers and producers with enough interest in these subjects who are willing to do the hard part of researching the facts and presenting lost history to the masses. The Burial is an awesome movie with a great cast that tells a modern David and Goliath type of story. This not-so-well-known story about a lavish Florida lawyer named Willie E Gary seemed so unbelievable it had to be turned into a movie. The Burial focuses mainly on two individuals. Joseph O’Keefe III, a Mississippi funeral home owner with serious money problems, and Willie E Gary, an attorney who speaks as the average Joe would instead of talking above his clientele. Together, Jeremiah and Willie take on Raymond Loewen and his Loewen Group in a trial that has Hollywood written all over it. Jamie Foxx is fantastic as Mr. Gary, whether studying the case in his office or deliberating in court. His work ethic and determination to win become the driving force of this film. While Mr. O’Keefe’s belief in Willie was initially based on his performance with other Black people, it didn’t take long for Jeremiah to realize how dedicated Willie was to ensuring the case would end victoriously. Of course, there are a few roadblocks that hamper the trial on both sides, like past relative affiliations, borrowed money, and the exploitation of the Black church. Overall, stories like this should be academically required viewing to prove further what hard work and a can-do spirit can get you.
OUR RATING – A POWERFUL 9