Available today on Prime Video, “Death Business” is a trial film starring Jamie Foxx who delivers a performance worthy of the Oscars.
What is it about ?
Inspired by true events, funeral home owner Jeremiah O’Keefe calls upon charismatic lawyer Willie E. Gary to save the family business when the deal goes sour.
Tempers rise and laughter flows as the unlikely duo bond while exposing corporate corruption and racial injustice in this inspiring and triumphant story.
Death Business, a film written by Doug Wright and Maggie Betts, directed by Maggie Betts with Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones, Jurnee Smolett… Based on the work by Jonathan Haar.
Jamie Foxx in great shape
Death Business is set in 1995, and chronicles a real-life court case in which Jerry O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones), owner of a bankrupt funeral home, sought to sue Loewen Group, a much larger funeral home. important, for a contractual dispute.
After learning he will be tried in a predominantly black courtroom, O’Keefe is referred to flamboyant personal injury lawyer Willie E. Gary (Jamie Foxx), who accepts him as a client.
Of course, the trial isn’t easy, especially since the Loewen group has brought in its own black attorney, Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett), who won’t go down without a fight and is ready to dig in deep within the prejudices of some of the people with whom O’Keefe is associated.
Presented this year at the Toronto International Film Festival, Death Business received a warm reception. If this trial film – despite the terrible true story behind it – does not revolutionize the genre, we must highlight the performance of Jamie Foxx in the role of Willie E. Gary, a lawyer even more colorful than Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, that’s saying something! This is exactly the kind of performance that should be considered for awards.
What makes Death Business (or The Burial, original title) effective is the remarkable interpretation of Jamie Foxx, in a role that seems tailor-made for him. It’s hard to say how faithful the film is to the real Willie E. Gary, if it’s truly that colorful. Certainly, the way Jamie Foxx plays the lawyer is special.
Skip Bolen © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
It must still be emphasized that it is a fairly disordered film which never knows whether it leans towards a dramatic comedy or a pure legal drama, but we cannot deny it a certain charm.
It brings together all the necessary ingredients to make a film likely to be an Oscar: it is headlined by two formidable actors, already holders of an Oscar, Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones, it is a legal drama which tackles the themes of race and injustice, and it is inspired by a true story. Isn’t that the recipe for success?
Jamie Foxx is undoubtedly one of the most talented actors in Hollywood, having worked with such renowned filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino, Michael Mann, Sam Mendes and Edgar Wright, and has proven himself capable of blend into just about any genre of film.
The role of Willie E. Gary seems, on paper, to put him in the awards race. Foxx shines every moment he is on screen. He is able to hone his comedic prowess and dramatic skills delivering a performance that reminds us why he is a one-of-a-kind performer. As confusing as the film is, it never detracts from Jamie Foxx’s performance.