Buried
(R16), 110 minutes, 4/5
It's hard to imagine a 110-minute film based completely around a man buried alive in a coffin would keep the attention of audiences for the entirety of its duration.
Buried not only succeeds in doing this, it also comes across as one of the most inventive
and effective thrillers of the year.
Despite the Edgar Allan Poe overtones, Buried's plot is noticeable for its contemporary nature - Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) is an American working in Iraq as a truck driver, when his convoy is attacked by Iraqi insurgents. The attack is the last thing he remembers, until he wakes up and finds himself buried in an old wooden coffin, with just a lighter and cellphone. What follows is a taut, suspenseful fight for survival, as Conroy works to free himself from his early grave, all while uncovering the circumstances that led to his incarceration.
In a film where the setting literally never changes, the onus falls on characters - in this case, there's only one - and Reynolds does a superb job as Conroy, the increasingly desperate truck driver who experiences the full gamut of emotions.
Director Rodrigo Cortes has used creative camera angles and lighting to fully convey the claustrophobic reality of Conroy's situation.
Conroy's confined environment carries with it a stifling sense of oppression, particularly during the final white-knuckle half-hour.
The end sees a brilliant twist to a gripping and unique film. It's up there with Inception as one of the best of this year.
