Watch Things We Lost in the Fire
- R
- 2007
- 1 hr 56 min
-
7.1 (29,900)
Things We Lost in the Fire is a 2007 drama film that explores the themes of loss, addiction, and second chances. The movie stars Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, and Alison Lohman in leading roles. It is directed by Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier and written by Allan Loeb. The movie begins with Berry's character, Audrey Burke, burying her husband Brian, who died in a senseless act of violence. Grief-stricken and lost, Audrey struggles to come to terms with her husband's death and the void he has left in her life. As she mourns, she begins to contemplate the things that she has lost in the fire that destroyed her husband's life.
Enter Jerry Sunborne, played by Benicio Del Toro, an old friend of Brian's who has his own demons to battle with. He is a recovering heroin addict, whose addiction cost him his job, marriage, and custody of his two children. Despite Audrey's initial revulsion towards Jerry, she seeks him out and offers him a place to stay. Audrey believes that she can help Jerry to get his life back on track as well as fill the void left by Brian's death.
As Jerry moves in with Audrey and her two children, Harper and Dory, he struggles to adjust to life outside of rehab. Though he is sober, Jerry constantly battles the cravings and the temptation to relapse. Audrey, on the other hand, becomes more and more obsessive about Jerry's sobriety, equating his recovery with Brian's death. She begins to see Jerry as a replacement for her dead husband and as a way to keep Brian's memory alive. This creates a complex and often volatile relationship between Audrey and Jerry.
Meanwhile, Harper and Dory are dealing with their own fears and uncertainties. Harper is struggling to cope with the loss of his father and lashes out at Jerry, believing that he is a threat to his family. Dory, on the other hand, is too young to fully comprehend what is going on but feels the tension in the house. She becomes attached to Jerry and even tries to help him stay sober.
Throughout the course of the movie, all of the characters are forced to confront their fears, doubts, and insecurities. Jerry is faced with the temptation to relapse and must decide whether he is strong enough to fight it. Audrey must come to terms with the fact that she will never get her husband back and that Jerry is not a replacement for him. Harper and Dory, too, must learn to accept their new reality and find a way to move on without Brian.
The movie is a poignant and emotionally charged portrayal of grief, addiction, and the complexities of human relationships. Berry and Del Toro deliver powerful performances, capturing the pain and vulnerability of their characters. Lohman, too, is impressive as the young and innocent Dory.
The cinematography and visuals add to the somber tone of the movie, with muted colors and an almost dreamlike quality to some shots. The music is also worth mentioning, with a haunting and melancholic score that perfectly complements the mood of the movie.
Overall, Things We Lost in the Fire is a beautifully crafted movie that tackles some difficult and complex themes with sensitivity and nuance. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility of redemption.
Things We Lost in the Fire is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 63.