Things we lost in the fire

Having started to read Judah P. Benjamin, the Jewish Confederate, wherein I read that Benjamin's family goes back to Portuguese Jews by the name of Mendes, I remembered the director Sam Mendes. Searching his name led me to this film, which he produced. I know both Berry and del Toro as actors, so I took the film home. Plus, Roger Ebert gave it a positive review.

Berry's character is married to Brian, a flawless man, successful, kind, great father, great husband, and loyal friend to del Toro, a heroin addict and his long-time friend. Splicing action in time, we see how it was that Brian came to be murdered, and how his family and friends reacted.

Whilst it gets a bit melodramatic, the film is powerful drama. Del Toro is magnificently understated, restraining himself from becoming too