In Texas nearby the border of Mexico, the newcomer arrogant border patrolman Mike Norton (Barry Pepper) mistakenly kills the Mexican cowboy Melquiades Estrada (Julio César Cedillo) and buries him in the desert. When Melquiades's body is accidentally found one week later, his best friend, the ranch foreman Pete Perkins (Tommy Lee Jones), claims the body to fulfill his promise and bury Melquiades in his hometown Jimenez and presses the local sheriff Belmont (Dwight Yoakam) to find the killer. However, Melquiades is not delivered to Pete because he is not his relative, and his body is reburied in the local cemetery. When Pete discloses the identity of the killer, he kidnaps Mike and forces him to dig the grave and bring the body to Melquiades's family in Mexico. While in their journey to Mexico, the sad reality of the hopeless Mexicans that live in the proximity of the border with USA is disclosed.
"The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" is a weird movie, developed in low pace and non-chronological. It was not clear for me the relationship between the bored Lou Ann Norton, played by the gorgeous January Jones, with Melquiades. Has she become a whore, working in the place owned by Rachel and Bob, or was she only bored looking for fun? The situation of the poor Mexican people living in that no man's land and the stereotypical alienation and arrogance of the border patrolmen are also very impressive. In the end, the loyalty of Pete for his friend Melquiades and the never corny redemption of Mike make this film worthwhile. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Três Enterros" ("Three Burials")
"The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" is a weird movie, developed in low pace and non-chronological. It was not clear for me the relationship between the bored Lou Ann Norton, played by the gorgeous January Jones, with Melquiades. Has she become a whore, working in the place owned by Rachel and Bob, or was she only bored looking for fun? The situation of the poor Mexican people living in that no man's land and the stereotypical alienation and arrogance of the border patrolmen are also very impressive. In the end, the loyalty of Pete for his friend Melquiades and the never corny redemption of Mike make this film worthwhile. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Três Enterros" ("Three Burials")