In Review: Buried

The Gist

A deeply affecting (and to a point disturbingly brilliant) film about the quirks and foibles of American military, capitalism, and hostage handling presented in in a haunting one-man show manner.

The Good

• Ryan Reynolds is the only on-screen actor here, save for a short appearance of an actress, and this movie sees him finally living up to his potential
• Very emotional and affecting
• Inventive and brilliant storytelling, raw and gritty all the while affective and beautiful

The Bad

• Not for everyone, may be too draining or stressful to watch
• Single setting, single actor (save voice actors), feels like reading a book--but a good book that is

Synopsis

Ryan Reynolds stars as Paul Conroy, an American truck driver for an Iraq-based company, whose convoy got attacked by Iraqi insurgents, and was later buried alive in the middle of a dessert. He later wakes up bound and gagged inside a wooden coffin with only 90 minutes of oxygen, a phone, a lighter, and a knife separating him from death.

Too Much Drama

If you are not a fan of Reynolds, you will be converted. He did not need to take off his shirt in this movie to get your attention. Just great acting from start to finish. All at once, he is funny, sarcastic, pissed, and depressed. And he will make you feel the same. Director Rodrigo Cortes really squeezed everything he can from the only on-screen actor for this film. Hey, he better get his money's worth. I would also need to praise the plot, the script, and the wonderful voice actors. They were all beautifully stitched.

Lighting the set, I can imagine, is also hard, and how it is done really makes it feel like you are also trapped in the coffin. Sounds take a backseat here, too. There isn't much, only when needed and they were utilized well. So kudos to the technical team, too.

But you can't possibly believe how draining this movie can get! It feels like forever actually as you catch your breath in frustration. You know Conroy's fate, and the fact that he struggles and is left frustrated really can stress you out. He somehow represents humanity in general--repressed and left to fend for themselves amidst their helplessness. Yet Conroy still trusts, bargains, deals with whatever there is left to hold. And that is kind of frustrating. You would wish, why can't this movie just effing end?

When I saw this movie, I was polarized very much. I love it because it's insanely brilliant. On the other hand, I hated it so much because 1.) I am a claustrophobic and was deeply affected by this movie as if I am the one buried alive, 2.) and it seems so real. Think of it like watching a film like Ruggero Deodato's Cannibal Holocaust or Eli Roth's Hostel. While not visually similar to those films, the effect is the same. But in hindsight, this is the kind of movie that I love watching. The kind that is insanely brilliant. Not much gimmick. Raw and piercing.

I give it a passing and recommended mark of 4/5.