Things We Lost in the Fire: This Is Not Monster’s Ball 2! Halle Was Awesome. Del Toro May Take the Oscar.

By Monica Medina

Wait, don’t let the photo deceive you! Halle’s new film
is not Monster’s Ball 2. “Things We Lost in the Fire” is a great film. Although, I realize many may disagree. It is not a typical shoot em up, fast action movie. This is strictly a human interest story with a great storyline. Benicio Del Toro did a great job playing a heroin attic and best friend of Halle Berry’s deceased husband in the film. Del Toro’s performance merits nothing less than an Oscar. Halle Berry has no faith in Benicio Del Toro and writes him off a junkie who is just taking advantage of her wealthy husband’s kindness. His kindness and faith in his junkie best friend, a former attorney before hitting rock bottom, was the source of many fights between the couple. After the husband’s tragic death from saving a distraught women on the street, Halle has a change of heart and allows Del Toro to stay with her and the kids. The beautiful story begins there.

Del Toro must have studied hard to “live” this character. His performance of portraying the ups and downs of a heroin attic–including the withdrawal symptoms is superb.  Del Toro already has one Oscar.  Maybe next year he will have two on his mantlepiece.