On Video on Demand (In theaters 9/18). Rated R, 111 minutes. Trailer.
The Burning Plain tells the non-linear story of Sylvia (Charlize Theron), a woman living in Oregon in pain and without solace. She appears fine on the surface, but is clearly on the brink of a breakdown or worse as she recklessly carries on her life. The film also flashes back to the story of Gina (Kim Basinger), a mother cheating on her husband and her kids with a Mexican man (Joaquim de Almeida - aka the Mexican Phil Hartman) and the story of a Mexican cropduster and his daughter. The film packs a strong emotional punch but has too many uneven spots and irrelevant scenes to rise above a B. Click below for more on BURNING:
As you can tell from the trailer, there are 3 seemingly divergent storylines that are actually connected. Charlize is shown as Basinger's daughter, being torn apart by her mother's indifference and infidelity. This leads to unintended tragedy and an unrequited pain in Charlize's life. The film is resolved nicely as the storylines converge realistically in a satisfying manner.
I love Guillermo Arriaga's nihilistic and gritty view of the world. Three of his previous scripts, Amores Perros, 21 Grams (A), Babel, have been made into great movies by collaborative director Alejandro González Iñárritu. The two had a falling out and this is Arriaga's first directorial attempt. He gets big points from me for the scenes with the ocean outside the restaurant - the raging seas framing Charlize couldn't be a better (or more obvious) metaphor. Mostly, though, I am just on the same wavelength as Arriaga - his stark perspective and keen eye for the realistic impact of people's actions remains his biggest draw.
Charlize is great in a tough, exposed (literal and figuratively) role - same for Basinger. Worth watching.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Burning Plain - B
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1 comment:
I remember seeing an early screening of Clear and Present Danger way back in 1994 and asking a total stranger, "Is that Phil Hartman?" - speaking of JdA of course.
I liked Babel more than most people and like 21 Grams even more (though a bit less than you). Looking forward to The Burning Plain, but something tells me this "exposed" Kim Basinger isn't the same as when Mickey Rourke had her blindfolded in front of a fridge.
Really like how smart Ms. Theron is - she continues to make interesting choices. No one could have guessed she'd still have a career 13 years after 2 Days in the Valley.
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