Buried

Film Review by Philip Concannon | 27 Sep 2010
Film title: Buried
Director: Rodrigo Cortés
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Ivana Miño, Stephen Tobolowsky, Samantha Mathis
Release date: 29 Sep 2010
Certificate: 15

From the first minute of Buried to the last, we are stuck inside a wooden coffin alongside Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds), an American truck driver being held for ransom in Iraq. Director Rodrigo Cortés never cuts away to the outside world, which is the film's masterstroke, as any glimpse of daylight would have surely punctured the almost unbearable tension it so carefully cultivates.

Instead, Cortés focuses on finding the most inventive ways to shoot his protagonist's ordeal, utilising outstanding contributions from his cinematographer (often lighting scenes with just a mobile phone or small flame) and the exceptional sound design to maintain a sense of sweaty, gut-wrenching intensity. At 95 minutes, the film is nicely paced. Screenwriter Chris Sparling times his various narrative developments well, even if some of the storytelling is awkward and a couple of twists come off as a little too cruel. Nevertheless, Buried grabs the viewer and rarely lets its hold slip, playing on our universal fears with great skill.