Buried is one of the rare movies that has a perfect ending, an ending that could be the best one of the year.
Ryan "Mr. Scarlett Johansson" Reynolds stars as Paul - a working class truck driver who saw an opportunity to make some good money driving hauls in Iraq, even though that means he had to leave his family behind. Unfortunately, his convoy was attacked by Iraqi insurgents, he was captured, and finds himself waking up in a coffin buried somewhere in the desert. However, he is not alone.
Soon after regaining consciousness, Paul finds a cellphone, and receives an ominous call. His captors are willing to give him his location and release him if he can come up with $5 million, but he only has enough air left to survive for about 90 minutes (good thing the movie is not 2 ½ hours long).
Can Paul get the money?
Who will help him?
Who put him there and can they be caught and brought to justice?
One (good) actor + one (creepy) coffin = one super intense and shocking movie.
This is not a horror movie, so don't go in thinking zombies will be breaking into the coffin to steal Paul's brain. Buried is part thriller, part statement movie and all blow your mind and hold onto your behind.
Thanks to Reynolds, director Rodrigo Cortes and writer Chris Sparling that one coffin contains more shocks, twists and turns than the latest New Jersey Housewives drama. Reynolds is super intense as the guy who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. As he frantically starts dialing, he lets us see the character's fear, regret and anger at everything that has led up to that point. He is one of the rare actors who can command your attention for a full movie, and proves his charm and winning smile also are accompanied by depth, talent and ability.
He fleshes out Paul by adding an incredulity and suspicion of authority that comes in handy. Reynolds has got it, the "it" that makes you a movie star for decades. Now that he has paid his dues with Van Wilder and a few other so-so movies, when I see his name in the credits, I know something entertaining is about to happen, and I might even stop calling him Mr. Scarlett Johansson (who am I kidding? it's too much fun to give that up).
Most brilliantly, Sparling gives Paul that cell phone. Through that link to the outside world, we are embroiled in an all too familiar scenario of corporate drones more interested in protecting the company's legal liabilities than doing the right thing for a dedicated employee, and government bureaucrats trying to control and spin rather than address the problem. It might seem negative, but I think every one of us who sees the movie believes this is what would really happen in this situation.
Then, Cortes keeps interjecting new surprises of substance. He lets the story unfold and allows the acting and dialogue to accomplish the shocks the audience feels. He doesn't over jazz it up with camera tricks and flash. Instead, Cortes is about keeping us focused on what really matters.
Think you know how Buried will end? Think again. I bet you don't see this one coming. It proves you don't need some overly complicated scheme to surprise us, just a brain and a decent idea.
4 Waffles (Out of 4)
Buried is rated R for language and some violent content
Best ending?
No way.
I agree 100% percent with this review. Tonight I was lucky enough to catch Buried at a local theatre that plays mostly limited releases. I must say I was literally blown away as Ryan Reynolds completely drew me in to the point where I felt I was in the box right next to him. The movie grabs you from the start and never lets go. This is a brilliant performance and a brilliant debut from Cortes. After the final reel I was left shaking with an adrenaline buzz a filmgoer can only dream of. It's been a long time since I walked out of a movie literally shaking in awe of the masterpiece I had just witnessed. This is incredibly intense stuff, now here's to hoping people take notice and Reynolds starts getting some of the roles he deserves.
I was on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next. My mind is always racing to try to understand how they are going to save it. Do you think that things like this happen all the time is very difficult to understand, but it does not happen regularly.
Just saw 'Buried'. Awesome concept and and awesome film. The ending was the most creative I've seen in a while. I recommend this film to everyone. Watch it at night in a dark room. It will have you questioning 'what would I have done?"
This movie was gripping! The above review is bang on. Ryan Reynolds was totally believable as Paul Conroy. After the movie was over, I just sat in one place and could not get the ending out of my mind
I liked the movie up till the end. I just was yelling put your head down,hold your breath and dig dug the hell out.If the stupid snake got out why cant you.The box was broke.The guy on the phone said he was only about 2'under ground crazy to just sit and die.