Things We Lost in the Fire
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: October 19, 2007
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
32
Mixed:
5
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
KhalidA.Nov 4, 2007
This movie ia a raw emotional masterpiece. What it presents is a unflinching, disarmingly honest and authentic portrait of loss, addiction, pain, redemption, and recovery. The performances are simply Sublime. Benicio triumphs as a dark, This movie ia a raw emotional masterpiece. What it presents is a unflinching, disarmingly honest and authentic portrait of loss, addiction, pain, redemption, and recovery. The performances are simply Sublime. Benicio triumphs as a dark, disturbed and almost irreversibly broken addict that is at the same time charming, witty, caring and heart-warmingly idiosyncratic. Now Halle Berry is just SUPERB in this movie! Her performance is so raw, unvarnished and searingly honest that it gives you chills. She perfectly embodies a character that in the face of her loss, is realistically complex. She is vulnerable yet icy and prickly, she is needy yet she perfectly portrays her character with justified and realistic ANGER and resentment. And the scenes of face-off between the 2 characters they play are so enthralling and so intense, you can hardly breathe.This is a rare movie, one that really touches you so deeply, that for a while after viewing it you almost cant bring yourself to even move.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
10
LeonardP.Oct 21, 2007
Here is proof that most critics have their heads up their asses. this is a remarkable film. Del Toro's performance here equals that of Meryl Streep's in Sophie's Choice.Her's is the best performance ever on screen by a Here is proof that most critics have their heads up their asses. this is a remarkable film. Del Toro's performance here equals that of Meryl Streep's in Sophie's Choice.Her's is the best performance ever on screen by a woman and Del Toro's here is the best by a man.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
EricaMar 8, 2008
Slow...but overall good...great acting on the main characters' part.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ChadS.Oct 23, 2007
Audrey(Halle Berry) allows Jerry (Benicio Del Toro) to spoon with her, in bed, while rubbing her earlobe, and she actually has the audacity to get mad at him when he later tries to kiss her. Audrey is in mourning, which raises this question, Audrey(Halle Berry) allows Jerry (Benicio Del Toro) to spoon with her, in bed, while rubbing her earlobe, and she actually has the audacity to get mad at him when he later tries to kiss her. Audrey is in mourning, which raises this question, "Is cockteasing actions under the influence of anguish constitute a cocktease?" Jerry shouldn't be putting the moves on his dead best friend's wife, but he had her ear. If you're a fan of Berry's crying in "Monster's Ball", she gives a command performance in "Things We Lost in the Fire", a pretty agreeable film, actually, about second acts and second chances. If there's a flaw, it's how Jerry's recovery from heroin steals the film's locus away from Audrey. It feels a little disproportional. Del Toro is terrific, but Berry's character should always be front and center. "Things We Lost in the Fire" tries to do too much.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
alexa.Oct 17, 2007
Absolutely wonderful, moving film. Benicio is amazing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
EldonApr 6, 2008
What a powerful, beautiful movie!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JayH.Feb 25, 2008
6.5/10. The performances are top notch, especially Benicio Del Toro, Halle Berry overacts a bit though . The story develops very nicely and draws you into the characters. Believably done, good pace to the film. It can be a bit depressing, 6.5/10. The performances are top notch, especially Benicio Del Toro, Halle Berry overacts a bit though . The story develops very nicely and draws you into the characters. Believably done, good pace to the film. It can be a bit depressing, but that is expected.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RichR.Mar 5, 2008
This movie would have been, should have been great because of Benecio, certainly one of the best American actors out there, if not THE best. For me, he is the next Jack, not afraid to play an ugly guy, able to let his natural charisma shine This movie would have been, should have been great because of Benecio, certainly one of the best American actors out there, if not THE best. For me, he is the next Jack, not afraid to play an ugly guy, able to let his natural charisma shine thru in whatever character he is playing. The problem, or course, is Halle Berry, who can't act. Her timing, her phrasing, her complete inability to convey any emotion whatsoever, regardless of the script, just murders this movie. Yeah, she's sexy for about five minutes, and so what? But Benecio gives it his all, like he always does; his British equivalent is Paddy Considine.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
RichardV.Nov 13, 2007
Although flawed, ultimately a real and moving motion picture that blurs the distinction between art and commercial films. Del Toro is such an incredible actor. And Barry matches him scene for scene. I won't forget it for a long time. Although flawed, ultimately a real and moving motion picture that blurs the distinction between art and commercial films. Del Toro is such an incredible actor. And Barry matches him scene for scene. I won't forget it for a long time. More films like this, please.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
michellec.Oct 17, 2007
Benicio Del Toro was simply fantastic. This movie was so completely moving and heart wrenching. These kids were insanely beautiful!!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
TonyB.Nov 16, 2007
This is a fine adult film unusual in that each of its characters is a decent human being trying to do his or her best in a difficult world. The leads are excellent and the supporting cast is just as good. A brisker pace and less pretentious This is a fine adult film unusual in that each of its characters is a decent human being trying to do his or her best in a difficult world. The leads are excellent and the supporting cast is just as good. A brisker pace and less pretentious cinematography would have helped.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
EludiumQ36Aug 4, 2013
Couldn't last 1/4 way through the film, I tried, but it was sssooooooo booooorrrrrrring. David Duchovny should do ads for sleep aids, seriously. This is the type of film you'd expect to find on Lifetime, LMN, O2, Hallmark, etc. In otherCouldn't last 1/4 way through the film, I tried, but it was sssooooooo booooorrrrrrring. David Duchovny should do ads for sleep aids, seriously. This is the type of film you'd expect to find on Lifetime, LMN, O2, Hallmark, etc. In other words, wherever you'd expect to find oldsters, shutins, nuns, and the like. I'm one of the fortunate ones that got out only a half hour in. Not. Reco. Mended.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
HaineswestSep 2, 2014
This is a thoroughly engaging depiction of the life that is led by those who struggle with chemical dependency. The characters are entirely believable, the acting is superb, and the dialogue/script writing is so authentic you have to remindThis is a thoroughly engaging depiction of the life that is led by those who struggle with chemical dependency. The characters are entirely believable, the acting is superb, and the dialogue/script writing is so authentic you have to remind yourself you are watching a movie. Every character is flawed, but they are never kept from imparting something good to their relationships, which are equally flawed. Real forgiveness, redemption, and love are given the most valuable opportunities in unlikely places. I believe this is true in real life, and this movie is an excellent portrayal of that truth.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this to be a real slow burner of a film, one which started off leaving me none the wiser, as the tragedy its about isn't depicted in the first half hour or so, so as a viewer your left rather in the dark about why the wife is so upset and whats going on. It has quite a depressing, sinister feel to it in terms of the use of rather ghostly music often present in scenes - mostly acoustic guitar chords being strummed almost frustratingly slowly. I have to say, I did feel like the music was over-emphasised and this put me off this particular film. Right the way through, it seems to desperately sort of promote itself as a hard hitting, emotional film, which (don't get me wrong) it is but it definitely lacked substance overall.

Given the storyline, I certainly did feel sorry for the wife, Audrey and I could understand her distress and only imagine how distraught she was at certain times but its almost as if this film was trying too hard to hit all the sort of 'emotional bases'. There are so many cruel twists and details present, some would be hard not to guess in advance and others more out of the blue - this I felt made me question how realistic the story was really. I suppose its the level of trust that Audrey had and also her relationship with her children, that I felt a bit doubtful of somehow, although of course I can't personally claim to have been in her characters position.

I noticed that the film features some rather shaky, or jerky, camerawork at different times, which is another downside to this film, if you have a strong tendency to motion sickness then you won't much care for this aspect no doubt. There are some quite poignant camera angles and scenes present - I feel this is quite a touching film, although as I say it almost tries too hard and packs too much in, in the hour and fifty running time, for it to somehow feel truly realistic.

I suppose this film is potentially quite good for talking about the struggles of drug addiction and showing what an impact it can have on younger people (ie. Audreys kids). Perhaps this film could help start/spark a discussion on drug taking.

I found the ending to be quite touching, although rather bittersweet as well, as while it did (I suppose) tell an important moral message and sort of say what needed to be said, it also left me wondering what the future held for Audrey and her children - something which isn't revealed.

Overall, no, I don't think I would recommend this film as it felt a bit too 'forced' and I did question the likelihood of how the story played out. I felt this film lacked an amount of credibility somehow but to be fair, this is more down to the script than the cast and it does certainly have its moments - its poignant and fairly moving in parts, yet there's something lacking overall that puts me off recommending it, plus the over-use of the musical score and some jerky camerawork also put me off.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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