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.

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.

I wasn't expecting much from this film at first, but minutes in, I was intrigued, and as time went on, I really dug the story and the characters. Oliver inherits his father's funeral home in a town where no one is dying. The solution? Kill people. It's dark comedy at its finest. Jay Baruchel plays a nerdy weasel while his partner in crime, Rose Byrne, mixes seductive tendencies with a cold blooded streak. It's quirky and gory (a warning to those people who are squeamish). The twists and turns shocked me each time. I only wish the film was longer, because the story has so much potential. But don't let that dissuade anyone. The film is great.

Oliver Whynacht inherits his father's ailing funeral home. Due to location, it looks like its competing funeral home is getting all of the business.

Poor Oliver seems to be having bad luck; due to a series of accidents several locals are being dispatched. He is consoled and supported by the female mortician. Soon Oliver and the mortician must take positive action to mask the previous accidents. Oliver is getting good at this and now sees a bright future. But is there some underlying plot that Oliver is not aware of?

Never let it be said that Canadians don't know how to produce dark comedies.

The plot is relatively transparent so it might not be of interest to people that are waiting for a lot of plot twists and the butler to come out of the closet at the last minute.

It is, however, fun to watch the characters go through their motions and allow you time to kibitz.

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!