Just Buried

Jay Baruchel plays a nerd and he plays it well. He has nosebleeds if he's stressed out so of course when he inherits a funeral home, he gets many nose bleeds. The movie was filmed in Windsor and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The camera shots are wonderful. But wait: the plot (or plots?) is convincing and I must warn those who are easily grossed out not to watch this movie. I hooted and cringed all in a matter of minutes. You'll see what I mean when you see certain scenes. I haven't seen a movie that is as original as when I'd last seen of one Alfred Hitchcock movies. So its true: this is a "very" dark comedy. If it was released by Paramount, talk show hosts would be talking about it. But once again, I warn you that certain scenes are beyond gross. I rate "Just Buried" highly. Spend the ten bucks and go see it for yourself, while it's still in Canadian theaters.

The dark comedy genre has always been a favorite of mine. From the Coen's comedy efforts to award winning films like American Beauty and indie smash hits like Little Miss Sunshine. I am always amazed on how comedy and tragedy blend and mix perfectly so whenever I hear of an upcoming dark comedy release, I do everything in my power to grab ahold of a copy. Just Buried I have to say, is entertaining in many ways. From the clever script to solid gold acting from both Byrne and Baruchel, and let's not forget the picturesque setting the director created. This movie will make you laugh, you will be scratching your head at times when you see the ridiculousness but that isn't really a bad thing. It might be silly but hey, this is no Fellini artpiece either so you just have to let go and let the movie take you in a wild ride about corpses, funerals and formaldehyde.

I had a hard time warming up to 'Just Buried'. I came in with high expectations but it initially gave me an impression of unbelievability. I had a hard time believing Jay's character, and the beginning dialog. As I continued watching the movie I understood the universe director Chaz Thorne created. After understanding the intentions behind what was happening the film became very entertaining, extremely ironic and in many ways quite clever. It's not a complicated plot nor a complicated film but for something made in such simplicity there's a lot it has to say.

I hope you watch it. I hope you enjoy it.

PS: Rose Byrne was gold!

Aimless Oliver Whynacht (Jay Baruchel) inherits his estranged father's nearly-bankrupted funeral home. There is a lack of people dying. With worker Roberta Knickle (Rose Byrne), they set off to kill so they could resume their funeral work.

This dark comedy lack the require style to be quirky or dark enough. It's a Canadian indie but director/writer Chaz Thorne just don't have the skills to pull this off. There's a definite lack of energy in the shooting style. As hard as the actors try, they just couldn't fill the lack of pace. It does pick up later on as more and more people are killed. But it doesn't save the movie.

At first, I have no idea that this film is a remake from a film made years ago. After reading the comments and the forum in IMDb, I went to rent the film. And yes, I was surprised to know that both film were the same, down to the incidents and some of the dialogues! However, even though it is a remake, the cast made a huge difference to this film. Whilst the older film excelled, this film didn't quite make it.

I do not think the problem is with the individual character, but to the cast as a whole. They lacked chemistry that it made the film rather dry.

However, a give a decent 6 for this film, mainly because it copied (thus made it a remake) and I liked the original film.