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"THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE" (2007) (Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro) (R) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Extreme Mild Extreme Moderate Heavy Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild None None None Extreme Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Extreme Extreme Heavy Heavy QUICK TAKE: Drama: A widow tries to come to grips with her husband's recent murder, all while taking in his best friend, a heroin addict, to keep her company. PLOT: Life was once good for Audrey Burke (HALLE BERRY). While she and her husband, Brian (DAVID DUCHOVNY), had their share of ups and downs, they seemed to be the perfect couple, with two adorable kids, 10-year-old Harper (ALEXIS LLEWELLYN) and her 6-year-old brother Dory (MICAH BERRY). Then one day, while out getting ice cream, Brian tried to stop some domestic abuse but ended up being murdered. Grief stricken, Audrey leans heavily on her brother Neal (OMAR BENSON MILLER) and neighbors such as Howard Glassman (JOHN CARROLL LYNCH) for support, all while trying to keep it together for her kids. However, she ends up turning to an unlikely source for comfort, Brian's childhood friend Jerry Sunborne (BENICIO DEL TORO). A former lawyer, he's now a recovering heroin addict, and for years she hated him for what he had become as well as Brian's insistence of remaining friends with that man. Perhaps vicariously wanting to have some contact one last time with her husband and/or feeling the need to help someone else, Audrey offers to allow Jerry to stay in her garage apartment so that he can get his life back together. And that includes him attending support group meetings with the likes of fellow recovering addict Kelly (ALISON LOHMAN). From that point on, he and Audrey try to work through their own and each other's issues, all while living together as the unlikeliest of housemates. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Unless they're fans of someone in the cast, it doesn't seem too likely. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R For drug content and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: HALLE BERRY plays a woman who's recently lost her husband and thus is in a state of grieving (sadness, anger, etc.). Despite hating him in the past (for being a drug addict who her husband continued to keep as a friend), she takes in Jerry as her new roommate, and uses strong profanity. DAVID DUCHOVNY plays her near perfect husband who's seen in flashback, including when he's murdered trying to stop domestic abuse. He uses strong profanity. BENICIO DEL TORO plays his best friend, a former lawyer turned heroin addict who tries to get his life back on track, but relapses. He uses strong profanity, smokes, and ends up moving into a garage apartment at Audrey's place. ALEXIS LLEWELLYN plays Audrey's oldest daughter who takes a liking to Jerry and misses her dad. MICAH BERRY plays her younger brother who does the same. JOHN CARROLL LYNCH plays a neighbor who takes Jerry under his wing, gets him jogging, and arranges a job for him. He half-seriously jokes about not liking his wife, and briefly drinks. OMAR BENSON MILLER plays Audrey's brother who tries to help out following Brian's death. ALISON LOHMAN plays a former addict who befriends Jerry and worries about him when he relapses. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this R-rated drama. Profanity consists of at least 17 "f" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Various instances of sexually explicit dialogue are present, a woman is seen in a bikini, and she and her husband later fool around (including a hand down inside pants), but are interrupted before they can finish. Violence consists of a double murder and suicide that occurs off camera (we only hear the first shot), as well as a man beating his wife (with some bloody results). Other bad attitudes are present, as are tense family scenes revolving around the aftermath of a husband/father's murder (thus, there's related thematic material). Drug use is present (along with related material, including going through withdrawal), as is drinking and smoking. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there's a tremendous amount of shaky and constantly moving, handheld camerawork in the film. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE People have drinks at a wake. We see a photo of Brian and Audrey with champagne. Various people have wine with a post-wake dinner. There's talk of wine and pasta. Jerry has a beer. In a flashback, we see drug paraphernalia in Jerry's place, and he appears drugged out, yet goes shopping with Brian when the latter arrives to take him out. We see empty beer bottles by Jerry. Jerry snorts some sort of drug. We see that Jerry is now in a methadone clinic, but he says that's just for the work as a janitor, and a place to stay. Several scenes feature Jerry and Kelly attending AA type drug meetings with others. After Howard wonders how Jerry could go from being a lawyer to a junkie, Jerry explains it started with coke and then went to meth and then heroin. Howard has a beer. Audrey asks Jerry what heroin is like. He replies that it's like being kissed by God, but that you're then forever chasing that initial feeling. She then says she wants to know what it feels like to escape, but he says she doesn't. When Harper catches Jerry going through some of her mom's stuff, she asks him if he's going to sell that to buy drugs. We see miscellaneous drug use (smoking something, a needle into an arm, etc.) as well as what appear to be drugged out people in an alley. It's there that Audrey finds Jerry who's relapsed and is stoned from heroin. We see Jerry, stoned on heroin, sitting on a toilet, but no nudity or bodily function is seen or heard. Kelly states that she lost her former lover to an overdose, and that's what scared her straight. We see Jerry experiencing the usual symptoms of withdrawal from heroin use (agitated, sweaty, pained, etc.). People have wine with dinner. BLOOD/GORE There's a story of Brian "taking a piss" in a pool in the past as a kid. In a flashback, Brian comes across a man beating his wife (who has a bloody face). We see Jerry, stoned on heroin, sitting on a toilet, but no nudity or bodily function is seen or heard. Jerry appears ready to vomit into a bucket during withdrawal from heroin use, but he doesn't. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Audrey tells Jerry that she hated him for years (for being Brian's friend as a drug user). Brian's sister playfully states that he was "a little retarded" and slow as a kid (not meant literally), but that he came around eventually. In a flashback, Brian comes across a man beating his wife (who has a bloody face) and tries to intervene, with some tussling and other contact (including a kick), and then getting the man to count to a number to calm down. But when Brian calls for help, the man shoots him (we don't see the impact). Later, however, we see all three dead on the street/ground (a double murder and suicide). Howard states that he hates his wife (played for comedy on the part of the film). About her husband dying, Audrey tells Jerry that it should have been him (who died). Audrey panics when Harper is missing, but Jerry knows where to find her (in a movie theater, where she used to go with her dad, both playing hooky -- from school and work). Audrey is upset that Jerry knew about that (and she didn't) and thus kicks him out of her house. When Harper catches Jerry going through some of her mom's stuff, she asks him if he's going to sell that to buy drugs. FRIGHTENING SCENES In a flashback, Brian comes across a man beating his wife (who has a bloody face) and tries to intervene, with some tussling and other contact (including a kick), and then getting the man to count to a number to calm down. But when Brian calls for help, the man shoots him (we don't see the impact). Later, however, we see all three dead on the street/ground (a double murder and suicide). GUNS/WEAPONS In a flashback, Brian comes across a man beating his wife (who has a bloody face) and tries to intervene, with some tussling and other contact (including a kick), and then getting the man to count to a number to calm down. But when Brian calls for help, the man shoots him (we don't see the impact). Later, however, we see all three dead on the street/ground (a double murder and suicide). IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "What the f*ck are you talking about?" "Are you f*cking with me?" "You better not be f*cking with me, man," "All f*cked up," "Totally f*cked it up," "How the f*ck did you know about it?" "F*ck you," "Freaking out," "Shut up," "Retarded," "Stop being so damn dramatic/naive," "Meat is murder," "Sure as hell," "Bitch," "Sonics suck," "Sucker" and "I'm gonna be pissed." Jerry has a cigarette over his ear. An adult does a faked bit of switching ears and noses (a visual trick for the entertainment of young kids). We see miscellaneous graffiti. Jerry lets out a loud belch. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 17 "f" words (4 used sexually, 1 seen written), 5 "s" words, 4 hells, 2 damns and 1 use of "Oh God." SEX/NUDITY We see some of Audrey's bare hip as she's lying down. Audrey shows some cleavage. Audrey does a little sensual kissing on Brian's lips and cheek. In a flashback, Brian jokes with Jerry that Audrey is "f*cking somebody else," adding that "there's no way she's only f*cking me" (all about her looking so good). Jerry then makes a noise and gesture for sex when he asks if Brian and Audrey are still doing that. Brian says they are, with Jerry then joking that Brian is in the rotation. We see Brian in his boxers and he then "spoons" with Audrey in bed. He then tells her he told Jerry she was "f*cking" some guy they know, prompting her to play along and ask why she'd do that (using the "f" word). She then adds that if she were sleeping with someone, "It sure as hell wouldn't be" that man. She then jokes about who it would be and then tells Brian, "Just do it," but she's referring to him rubbing her earlobe to put her to sleep. We see Audrey in a bikini, while Brian is in just swim trunks in a pool. About an earlier joking sex comment that Audrey said about a delivery person, Brian jokes that he's just there to make a delivery. The two passionately kiss, some undoing of clothes occurs, and a hand goes down inside pants, but they're then interrupted by a call from their kids. Audrey showers and we see her bare shoulders and the top of her chest. Audrey shows some cleavage. Audrey wants Jerry to join him in bed, and he doesn't know about that request, but she wants him to hold her and rub her ear like Brian did, all to help her fall asleep (so he does, but both are clothed, and nothing sexual occurs). Kelly shows a little cleavage. We see Jerry in the shower (a head and shoulders shot) and Audrey then enters the apartment, seemingly enticed by the thought of taking a peek into the bathroom, but she doesn't. Kelly shows some cleavage. We see Jerry, stoned on heroin, sitting on a toilet, but no nudity or bodily function is seen or heard. SMOKING Jerry smokes more than 10 times, while Howard smokes once, as does a miscellaneous person. Jerry has a cigarette over his ear. Jerry smokes a used cigarette. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Brian's murder obviously creates grief for Audrey and her kids, and that permeates most of the film. We see Audrey with her upset daughter (following Brian's death), and there's talk of his mother being sedated for having lost her child. The girl then asks if that's worse than losing one's dad, with Audrey replying that it's different. In a flashback, Audrey argues with Brian in front of their kids. In a flashback, Brian goes out for ice cream, but doesn't return. She tries calling his cell phone, but there's no answer. The police then arrive and give her the bad news that Brian is dead (and their daughter is nearby and wants to know what happened). Over the kids acting up at breakfast, Audrey is mad and lets them know in angry and loud terms. Howard states that he hates his wife (played for comedy on the part of the film). Audrey can't bring herself to step into her late husband's office. Harper asks Jerry if he ever feels like he's inside a movie, adding that hers is a sad one. Audrey is upset that Jerry is able to convince Dory to stick his head under the pool water, whereas Brian was never able to accomplish that. Audrey panics when Harper is missing, but Jerry knows where to find her (in a movie theater, where she used to go with her dad, both playing hooky -- from school and work). Audrey is upset that Jerry knew about that (and she didn't) and thus kicks him out of her house. Upon hearing that Jerry has moved out, Dory is concerned and asks if that means Jerry's going to die now. Howard states that he's finally divorcing his wife, but we later hear him say he's going back to her. Harper tells Jerry that he can't come there and pretend to be her daddy and then leave. Audrey and her kids visit Brian's gravesite. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Drugs, drug addicts, and intervention/kicking the habit. Losing a spouse or parent, and the resultant grief. Brian not giving up on Jerry as his friend, despite the latter becoming a hardcore drug user. The fact that Audrey was always scared when Brian went to see Jerry (thinking something might happen to him). Being a vegetarian. Audrey can't bring herself to step into her late husband's office. Harper asks Jerry if he ever feels like he's inside a movie, adding that hers is a sad one. Howard offering to have Jerry rehabilitate himself by working for him as a mortgage broker. Kelly states that she lost her former lover to an overdose, and that's what scared her straight. The notion that one should accept the good in his or her life. VIOLENCE In a flashback, Brian comes across a man beating his wife (who has a bloody face) and tries to intervene, with some tussling and other contact (including a kick), and then getting the man to count to a number to calm down. But when Brian calls for help, the man shoots him (we don't see the impact). Later, however, we see all three dead on the street/ground (a double murder and suicide). Audrey whacks on Jerry due to her grief. Reviewed September 24, 2007 / Posted October 19, 2007

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