TOMMY LEE JONES

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBBB. 

USA/France, 2005.  EuropaCorp, The Javelina Film Company.  Screenplay by Guillermo Arriaga.  Cinematography by Chris Menges.  Produced by Luc Besson, Michael Fitzgerald, Tommy Lee Jones, Pierre-Ange Le Pogam.  Music by Marco Beltrami.  Production Design by Merideth Boswell.  Costume Design by Kathy Kiatta.  Film Editing by Roberto Silvi.  

Tommy Lee Jones scores huge in his feature film directorial debut, a fascinating, dramatic look at race relations and loose concepts of justice in modern-day Texas. He plays a ranch hand who takes the law unto himself when his Mexican cowboy friend is found shot dead for no apparent reason and the authorities put forth a relaxed effort to find his killer. When the identity of the culprit is discovered, Jones goes on a journey of reconciliation, both physical and emotional, that goes further away from your expectations with each passing scene. A superb cast is rounded out by Barry Pepper as an emotionally troubled border patrol officer and Melissa Leo as a diner waitress who enjoys the company of more than just her short-order cook husband. Understated, subtle, brilliant and wholly captivating, this is an emotionally satisfying and exhilarating motion picture with a thoughtful, provocative issue at its centre and a stellar performance by Jones in the lead. Deserved winner at Cannes 2005 for Best Actor and Guillermo Arriaga’s spotless screenplay.

Cannes Film Festival Awards:  Best Actor (Tommy Lee Jones); Best Screenplay

Toronto International Film Festival:  2005