The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)
Moderate Themes and Violence,Moderate Sexual References and Sex Scenes,Moderate Coarse Language
| Director: | Tommy Lee Jones |
| Actors: | Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper, Julio Cedillo, Dwight Yoakam, January Jones |
The body of Mexican Melquiades Estrada is found in a shallow grave in the desert, where it was hastily buried after being fatally shot by a Border Patrolman, Mike Norton (Barry Pepper). Making no attempt to solve the crime, the local Texan authorities rapidly transfer the corpse to a pauper's grave in the cemetery. Pete Perkins (Tommy Lee Jones), a ranch foreman and Melquiades' best friend, takes it upon himself to hold Norton accountable. After forcing him to dig up the body at gunpoint, Pete heads across the remote Texan desert with his captive in tow and the body strapped to a mule. What follows is a dangerous and quixotic journey into Mexico, toward the third burial - and promised resting place - of Melquiades Estrada. THREE BURIALS marks the directorial debut of Tommy Lee Jones, and features a screenplay by Guillermo Arriaga (Amores Perros, 21 Grams). This dramatic and poetic story weaves past and present as it gradually reveals a great friendship, and the cost of a promise made and kept within that friendship.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 121mins |
| Origin: | |
| Aspect Ratio: | 2.35:1 |
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Member Reviews (50)
50 Member
Reviews
Deb R
says
Don't know what Tommy Lee was thinking, started out like a porno and only got a fraction better. Fast Forwarded most of it.
Vic C
says
So slow I didn't even finish it.
Alan P
says
Can,t believe Tommy Lee agreed to be in this desaster.alan
Ronnie
says
Interesting movie had a Cohen Brtohers feel to it
Debbie
says
not to great. drawn out
brad
says
Sorry I watched this one. Not what I expected! The story starts off with flash backs and makes it hard to follow. Perhaps this was an experimental movie?
Anna
says
Pace of movie too slow. Characters were not endearing at all and therefore Ieft me with a 'couldn't care less' feeling towards them and the plight of everyone involved. Tommy Lee did his best but it was silly in parts and the ending was disappointing.
Weary
says
I really wanted to like this movie more but somehow the blend of grotesque corpse dragging, nebulous moralising over US attitudes to immigrants and the intermittent action sequences did not complement each other, meaning none of the above every really achieved anything meaningful. That "other movie" with Tommy Lee Jones about US/Mexico wins by a mile......
Dean Jones
says
I really enjoyed this, something a bit different. A very moving film.
Peter F.
says
Not one of tommy lee's best..a friend dies and vengenance is required,,ho-hum..a 6/10 from me
Arthur S.
says
Some beautiful visual imagery here but the overall feel is scuzzy, mostly due to the repugnant central character dragged through Texas and Mexico by Tommy Lee Jones (who also directed).
Janine
says
Excellent movie, lots to think about. Not everything is explained in the end but that does not spoil the drama, the look or the directing. Good job by all.
Erin
says
i didnt mind this movie i dont think that it is one of tommy lees best though i still think that it is one of those movies that you shoyuld watch if you have the choice to. Not too bad in my book
Tim B.
says
A beautiful little movie that deserves more attention.
It has a similar setting to "No Country For Old Men" and some of the plot elements are like a gown-up version of "Weekend at Bernies", and perhaps even "Monster's Ball" in tone.
This film makles excellent use of the non-linear narrative structure and the viewer needs to pay attention to what is going on on screen at all times.
At the end of the movie I felt like I could identify with the two main character's sadness and victories.
Jack
says
A depressing and strangely lifeless (pardon the pun) morality tale with a lackluster resolution. Craggy Tommy Lee Jones as tough cowboy foreman Pete Perkins takes centre stage, acting and directing this cowpoke soapy about catching illegal emigrants, racial intolerance, murder, dysfunctional marriages, adultery, friendship, loyalty and salvation. Halleluiah! The hostile dry landscapes were effectively captured around the West Texas border town of Van Horn and northern Mexico, but the third burial dragged, incredulous situations were thrown up (how many did you count?) and the characters too one dimensional and clichéd. After seeing No Country For Old Men, I bet the Coen brothers could have put a lot more than gallows humour into TTBOMF. Two and a half stars.
Paul
says
Quite a good movie and somewhat different, wherein there are often scene flashbacks of past event etc, though making the movie a little hard to follow, it is engaging as you try to figure out whats what.
Kept me engaged the whole way through.
Willemina G.
says
I didn't enjoy it. Not my kind of movie. My husband said it was OK
Claire Z.
says
Gary H.
says
A story about one mans obsession and another mans redemption. this movie has a gritty realism that is at times contrived and at other times distracting.
This movie is trying to say something (important?) but I just couldn't be bothered with it most of the time.
The story, like Tommy Lees character, just trails off into nothing.
Adriaan van Jaarsveldt
says
This extraordinary film has won both the Prix d'interprétation masculine and the Prix du scenario at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which concludes today. It is an unforgettable parable about honour and redemption. Guillermo Arriaga, the Mexican screenwriter also responsible for Amores Peros and 21 Grams, builds up a powerful story of what it means to be a man, perfectly played out against the starkly beautiful backdrop of the American-Mexican border country. This is the first film directed by Tommy Lee Jones, who also leads as the no nonsense Pete Perkins. He has done a terrific job, as have Barry Pepper and Julio Cedilo in support. January Jones is just plain yummy and very good as the bored, young wife of Barry Pepper’s rookie border patrol guard. The film has some moments of surreal madness, some involving a dead body, ants and a few litres of anti-freeze, but at its heart its an honest and closely studied drama with an ending that is uplifting and inspiring.
Elizabeth C.
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Elizabeth C.
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RoyF
says
Tthis was just great and awesome i really liked this movie, the acting and scriptwriting was awesome in the movie, tommy lee was king of this movie.
Ursula S.
says
Chris G.
says
good story but the flashbacks only confused the plot
Barry A.
says
Really good story line ,keeps moving around but enjoyable
Margaret F.
says
an interesting take on a modern western, my husband and i enjoyed it
Hilton S.
says
Fantastic movie.
Andrew H.
says
Quite a different film and it's strange that Tommy Lee Jones hasn't gone on to direct anything else (not that I know of anyway). He only seems to pop up every now and then. It's a bit Weekend at Bernies at times but an interesting story of redemption and loyalty.
Kai P.
says
Not something I would recommend, but for those who like Tommy Lee Jones, its a maybe.
Ken G.
says
Phillippa
says
I would have given this 5 stars except for the confusing beginning. It took me a while to figure out the sequence of events. Once I got that sorted that out, the rest was intriguing and a great movie about loyalty. Pretty slow moving but then again, better than non-stop action. The ending was great. Pity the beginning wasn't.
Dean J.
says
The quest/redemption movie taken out of the old West and set along the present-day Texas/Mexico border.
Barry Pepper and his remarkable face are great foils for Tommy Lee Jones' salt-of-the-earth cattleman, Pete.
The film uses its genre precedents to throw contemporary issues into focus, and to pose/answer some good meaty universal questions about friendship, duty, humanity, and fellow-feeling.
It also does a nice job of making us question whether white U.S. tabloid truckstop Hollywood culture is really the model we want to aspire to,
when there are so many other better and more beautiful cultures blossoming all around us and all over the rest of the world
(even if they can't afford to buy space on Foxtel and News Ltd to advertise their benefits).
loop
says
No stars for the first two burials. This movie has a confusing, disjointed and off-putting first third, but hang in there because the rest is very watchable and intriguing. Good performances from the two leads.
Andrew C.
says
good movie, well worth seeing
Lynette M.
says
John H.
says
Clive M.
says
A great cast with Barry Pepper outstanding as the Border Patrol Officer at the centre of the plot. The background music was ideal but not obtrusive and the scenery awe inspiring. Congratulations to Tommy Lee Jones as Director and starring actor!
Vicki S.
says
Christina R.
says
A different movie. Quite intense with the portrayal of how human relationships affect different people. I enjoyed it, but there were some "Oh my god!!" moments for me.
Inze
says
Riveting stuff. I always enjoy watching Tommy Lee Jones - he's an enigma on the screen and he leaves you wondering what he's going to do next. His poker face betrays nothing as does his steely eyes. Jones combined well with Barry Pepper, who provided a stirling performance as the over zealous boarder patrolman, who didn't realise what a loser he really was until he messed with Jones.
filmasart
says
The Three Burials ... is a small masterpiece. The characters and their relationships, the scenery and the story are nothing short of enthralling.
Lesley L.
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Robyn K.
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Helen P.
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Jane A.
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Nicholas O.
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Steve R.
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Ben.
says
Not for everyone, but one that deserves attention. Tommy Lee Jones as director and performer (his best role yet)is faultless and Barry Pepper does well with a very tough role. The ending is lacking something but overall a sublime cinematic experience..rent it!