The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

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GO SEE IT!

Directed by and stars Tommy Lee Jones, co-stars Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakam and Melissa Leo, cinematography by the same guy who did "The Killing Fields" and "North Country", scripted by the guy who wrote "Amores Perros", filmed in Texas and Mexico, freaking great!

It's about an American cowby who tries to re-bury his murdered friend in his homeland of Mexico, facing down US border patrol and the treacherous desert. Love, loss, loneliness, lassos, the usual cowboy stuff with great writing, dark comedy, heart-breaking drama, and enough unanswered questions to fuel a 90 minute post-movie discussion at a cafe. A good movie for grownups and mature teens.

Has anyone else seen it? It won awards at Cannes last year and I have no idea why it took so long to get released.

[chiqui]

Haen't seen it yet, but I want to. We see every Mexican-themed movie that comes out.

[glitterbug]

I just saw this last night. I haven't got a clue what the hell it was about most of the time, but I really enjoyed it. I suppose I'm one of those unfortunate people - films which leave questions unanswered at the end really frustrate me. I need the titles to come up at the end in the manner of "Mike stayed in Mexico, turned over a new leaf and fell in love with a local girl" etc. Also, I felt annoyed all the way through that Melquiades was actually dead when there seemed so much potential for him - the way Lou Ann looked at him was so sweet. And how did all that come about? Why was the diner woman sleeping with everyone? And how come Lou Ann decided to join in?

Don't get me wrong, I like films which make you think, but these questions aren't the sort that are ever going to get answered (as opposed to the inevitable Pulp Fiction debates about what's in the suitcase etc). I really cared about the characters and I wanted to know where they all ended up. And don't get me started on that poor old man with the radio. The hubby and I were both teary-eyed about that. What happened to him? Gah.

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I still haven't managed to see this movie, much to my regret. But I do have this to share.
I went to school with Julio Cedillo (Melquiades Estrada). He is genuinely the nicest person you'd ever want to meet.