What a disturbing movie! Claustrophobes out there, be warned. The whole film takes place in a buried crate with one man inside, Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds). He's a truck driver, contracted as a civilian to drive supplies in Iraq. Did he think this was an easy way to make big money? His convoy is ambushed. He's knocked out somehow, hard to remember, and he wakes in this crate not much larger than a coffin with only a cell phone, a flask of water, a lighter, and his anxiety pills. Wait a second! This guy suffers from anxiety and takes a job in a war zone? We find out all this and more through his desperate phone calls.
This has to be one of the worst nightmares imaginable, so horrible that most don't have the courage to dream it. Reynolds is incredible, alone in the box, trying desperately to save himself. The range of emotions, from fear, horror, anger and subtleties in between are all heart wrenchingly honest. The story was powerful and believable. One wonders how many people this has happened to without the general public's knowledge. The cinematography never got routine or boring. Director of photography Eduard Grau has discovered every possible way to shoot a box which serves the story and keeps us in there with the action. This film is not for the feint of heart, but a true tour de force for filmmaker Rodrigo Cortes and Reynolds. It also exposes yet another view of the conflict in the Middle East.
Bonnie Steiger had the opportunity to discuss the film with Ryan Reynolds. Please watch. And view the trailer as well.
And check out Bonnie Steiger's site for more reviews and celebrity interviews.
Buried
Director, Editor, Co-producer, Music Editor and Producer: Rodrigo Cortes
Writer: Chris Sparling
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, voices of Robert Paterson, Jose Luis Garcia Perez, Robert Clotworthy, Stephen Tobolowsky, Samantha Mathis, Ivana tMino, Erik Palladino, Anne Lockhart, Michalla Petersen
Cinematograper: Eduard Grau
Time: 95 min.
Rated: R
Opens September 24
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