The Burial Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A white funeral home owner hires a flashy Black lawyer to sue a Canadian corporation for not buying his business, resulting in a half-billion-dollar payout because…racism?

🍿 The Burial: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Handshake Deal Gone Wrong

Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones), a funeral home owner in Mississippi, faces financial difficulties. He attempts to secure his family’s legacy by agreeing to sell some of his funeral homes to the Loewen Group, a large Canadian corporation run by Ray Loewen (Bill Camp). The deal is sealed with a handshake, but Loewen drags his feet, leading O’Keefe to believe he’s being swindled.

Enter Willie Gary

Desperate, O’Keefe hires Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx), a flamboyant and successful personal injury lawyer from Florida. Gary, known for his extravagant lifestyle and persuasive courtroom presence, is an unconventional choice for a contract dispute. He sees the potential for a larger narrative involving racial injustice and corporate greed.

The Courtroom Battle

The legal battle intensifies as Gary and O’Keefe face the Loewen Group’s legal team, led by Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett). The case expands beyond a simple contract dispute, delving into the Loewen Group’s business practices, particularly their alleged exploitation of black communities through inflated funeral costs. Gary uses compelling tactics, including highlighting historical racial injustices, to sway the jury.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx): A flamboyant and successful personal injury attorney who takes on Jeremiah O’Keefe’s case, exposing corporate corruption.
• Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones): A funeral home owner who enlists Willie Gary to save his family business from a corporate takeover.
• Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett): A sharp, Harvard-educated attorney hired by the Loewen Group to defend against O’Keefe’s lawsuit.
• Ray Loewen (Bill Camp): The head of the Loewen Group, a corporate behemoth accused of unfair business practices.
• Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie): A young and insightful attorney who assists Willie Gary and uncovers key evidence in the case.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Willie Gary: “I’m Willie Gary, and I’m here to get justice for Jeremiah O’Keefe.” – Willie Gary introduces himself to the courtroom, setting the stage for his involvement in the case.
• Willie Gary: “My word is my bond.” – Willie Gary emphasizes the importance of integrity and honoring agreements, a central theme of the film.
• Jeremiah O’Keefe: “I’m just trying to leave something for my family.” – Jeremiah explains his motivation for pursuing the lawsuit against the Loewen Group.
• Willie Gary: “Sometimes, the only way to get justice is to make it hurt.” – Willie Gary justifies the aggressive tactics he uses in the courtroom to expose corporate wrongdoing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $32,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Burial Reviews

Personal Review

I was hooked the second Jamie Foxx showed up in that bright suit! The movie had me laughing one minute and feeling all the emotions the next. The courtroom scenes with Tommy Lee Jones were intense. I rooted for the ‘little guy’ all the way through. Definitely a must-see!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of legal dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about corporate accountability”
  • “Those who appreciate films inspired by true events”
  • “Fans of Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Discussions of racial injustice”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Themes of death and the funeral industry”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “A heartwarming courtroom drama elevated by Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones’ performances. It finds the perfect balance between comedy and drama. The racial aspects are believable and not cringe, making for an enjoyable and believable experience.
• IMDB: “Foxx’s performance is the highlight, even though the courtroom scenes are unrealistic and implausible. The movie is a feel-good story and focuses on race stuff. While the acting is solid, the plot feels predictable.
• IMDB: ” The film is excellent hands down. Everyone did a fabulous acting job. The film goes way deeper and tells stories of history and friendship. The performances of Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones were phenomenal.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones is outstanding.: The solid performances make this courtroom drama highly entertaining

Jamie Foxx shines in this lighthearted story with a touch of civil rights issues.: Movie has great performances and a charming story

Overall Consensus: An entertaining legal drama, elevated by the performances of Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones, with a solid storyline.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on a true story and an article from ‘The New Yorker’ written by Jonathan Harr about the O’Keefe vs. Loewen Group case.”
• “Jamie Foxx not only starred in the film but also served as one of the producers.”
• “Filming took place primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Burial?

The Burial is available to stream exclusively on Prime Video. While a theatrical release occurred, it is primarily a streaming film. Check Prime Video for viewing options in your region. At this time, it is not available for purchase on platforms like Apple TV or Google Play, as it is an Amazon Studios production.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Burial, you might like these similar films:

• Erin Brockovich (2000): Both films are based on true stories and feature an underdog taking on a large corporation, exposing corporate wrongdoing and fighting for justice.
• A Civil Action (1998): This film also involves a legal battle against corporate entities, highlighting the challenges and complexities of environmental law and personal injury cases.
• The Rainmaker (1997): A young lawyer takes on a powerful insurance company in a case of bad faith. Captures the theme of the small guy fighting corruption and greed.
• Dark Waters (2019): Similar to ‘The Burial,’ this film depicts a lawyer uncovering environmental contamination caused by a major corporation and fighting for justice for the affected community.
• Amistad (1997): Amistad is a courtroom drama tackling legal and ethical issues surrounding slavery. Though different legal context, both focus on injustice and legal battles for justice.

🛒 The Burial Related Products

• The Burial (Inspired by True Events) Movie Poster: Premium quality poster of The Burial movie. Captures the key art. This poster brings a touch of Hollywood to any room.
• The Burial Script (Digital Download): The official screenplay of The Burial, including character insights and story development notes. Dive into the world of Willie Gary and Jeremiah O’Keefe.
• Willie Gary Bobblehead: A high-quality bobblehead of Willie Gary in his most colorful suit from the movie. A fun and unique collectible.
• The Burial – The Real Story Documentary: An in-depth documentary exploring the true story behind ‘The Burial,’ featuring interviews with key figures and historical context.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Burial features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Trust in the Lord” – performed by Andre Littlejohn and Larry J. McCullough

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Willie Gary Become A Lawyer | The Burial | Prime Video

Ever wondered what drove Willie Gary to become a lawyer? This clip dives into his motivations and really adds depth to his character in ‘The Burial’. It’s pretty inspiring stuff, you gotta check it out!

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