Rodrigo Corres's newest film "Buried" not only shows us what it would look like to be buried alive, but makes us feel it, too. It takes a simple theme of claustrophobia and turns it into a gripping and original thriller. So original that I can't imagine this premise being duplicated. The film was totally unpredictable moving from moments of high hope to utter despair.
Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) is a truck driver in Iraq delivering supplies to Iraqi towns when his convoy is ambushed. After losing consciousness, he wakes up in darkness. He gradually realizes he's in a narrow wooden box, buried somewhere in the Iraqi desert.
Immediately we are immersed into his situation. We can feel his panicky breaths one after another. He mentions numerous times that it's hot, and you can almost feel it. I have to commend Cortes for shooting the film this way. He keeps the camera right up at Paul's body for most of the film, only occasionally zooming out.
Paul discovers he still has his cell phone and starts making calls. First the police station, then the FBI, and then, most important, an Iraqi who put him there, who tells him that he wants $5 million or else he will leave Paul to die. In addition to the Iraqi, another important caller is terrorist negotiator Dan Brenner (Robert Paterson).
Paul is the only person that we see in the entire film but all the people he calls (in particular Dan and a snooty personnel employee from his work) still convey a lot of personality through their voices, which makes you, try to imagine their faces.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is Paul's reactions to his situation. He has only a limited supply of air and his phone battery is getting low. He has to face physical challenges, like a snake that slithers into his coffin, as well as psychological challenges, like delusion.
He has to try and keep himself calm and hope for the best, even in a seemingly impossible situation. From all his actions you get so squirmy and uncomfortable (in a good way) that you want to jump into the movie and save him yourself.
"Buried" is dark but not depressing. Screenwriter Chris Sparling incorporates a lot of humor, such as when Paul yells and cusses at the callers, or when he bumps his head on the top of the box. It eased the tension a bit and gave Paul more likeability and depth.
For being the only actor on screen, Reynolds' was both natural and convincing.
If you weren't claustrophobic before, you will be.[[In-content Ad]]
