Third Times’s a charm. Review on The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada Movie

Directed and starring Tommy Lee Jones as Rancher, Pete Perkins, this is a Drama/Western that really is quite exceptional as a modern day western. Like the westerns of the past, this film offers great cowboy lingo, cattle herding, breathtaking views of Texas and Mexico and a long trek with horses and Mules packing supplies(and one dead body).

The story begins with the discovery of Melquiades, mistakenly shot by a Border Patrolman Mike Norton(Barry Pepper) who was spooked by gunfire while having some “alone time, ” with his HUSTLER Magazine in the desert. Returning gunfire, he scrambles to see what he hit and finds a dead Mexican Rancher, quickly and carelessly buries the body and goes on his merry way with no more thought to what has happened. That is, until the body is discovered and later reburied after a brief and inconsequential second burial.

Mike Norton, a newcomer to the area from Columbus Ohio. He is oblivious, arrogant and insensitive to his wife and those around him. That is until this incident, which is brought to light by Peter, who captures him. Handcuffed and hog tied to a horse, the two trek to Mexico to offer a final burial, the third of Pete’s new found best friend Melquiades Estrada. Peter means to make good on his promise to bury his friend in his home village of Jimenez Mexico. While tormenting Norton, the two form a very unusual bond as they encounter interesting characters and adventures across the desert.

What I found most interesting was that Norton’s character was just so despicable and at the same time, interesting to watch because the viewer had to surmise that something was going to transpire: Either Revenge or Revelation of deadly deeds(or both?). The story is made more complex as told in flashbacks and use of both Spanish and English. Jones speaks both and offers authenticity to the story.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada is Jones’ theatrical Directing Debut. Much of the film was shot on Jones’ own ranch. Director/Actor Jones gave each cast member a copy of Albert Camus' "The Stranger" to read so that they would understand alienation, a big theme in both the novel and the film.(Trivia from IMDB)

For all you Western and or Tommy Lee Jones Fans(You know who you are…) This is a MUST see!