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'The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada': Sagebrush with greatness

Like this season's groundbreaking western, Brokeback Mountain, the evocative, mystical The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada is also the story of two men inextricably bound to each other. For those who are still avoiding Brokeback, perhaps you will be less queasy knowing that one of the two men — the title character, Estrada — is a dead body for most of the film.

Sony Pictures Classics 'The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada' B The verdict: An intriguing odyssey of honor western, starring Tommy Lee Jones in his directing debut. Director: Tommy Lee Jones Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Julio Cedillo, Vanessa Bauche, Dwight Yoakam, Barry Tubb Run time: 121 minutes Release date: Dec. 14, 2005 Rating: R for language, violence and sexuality. See showtimes A man of few words Actor/director Tommy Lee Jones gives uncharacteristic interviews with: • The Palm Beach Post • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Tommy Lee Jones plays a rugged, craggy Texas cattle rancher, the man whose friendship with Mexican migrant worker Estrada (Julio Cesar Cedillo) leads to a pledge whose fulfillment becomes a matter of honor. The role is familiar territory for Jones, and he won the top acting prize for his performance at Cannes. But surely that recognition is at least partially for his assured, restrained feature directing debut.

Melquiades Estrada is a collaboration between Jones and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga (Amores Perros, 21 Grams), who tells this straightforward tale in non-linear fragments that move about in time. The film also shifts in tone, beginning as a social drama and gradually spilling into the realm of dark comedy. But never doubt that Jones and Arriaga are in control throughout.

Pete Perkins (Jones) is foreman on a sheep ranch, supervising many laborers who do not speak English. He recognizes that Estrada is a good worker, which overrides the fact that he is in the country illegally. Perkins promises him, somewhat offhandedly, that if anything happens to him, Pete would personally see that he got back to his Mexican village.

Cut to Mike Norton (Barry Pepper), a new arrival in Texas from the alien land of Cincinnati. He takes a job as a border patrolman, toting his badge, his gun and his prejudices. Soon, he impulsively fires on Estrada as he tries to protect the sheep, accidentally killing him.

Attempting to cover up his mistake, Mike hastily buries the body. When it is uncovered by a prowling coyote, the local bigoted sheriff (Dwight Yoakam) goes through a perfunctory investigation and buries Estrada again. Sensing what really occurred, Perkins forces Mike to help him dig up the gradually rotting body and together they fulfill Perkins' pledge, transporting the corpse over difficult terrain to his Mexican home for final burial.

Like many of the best westerns, this is an allegorical tale of honor and self-discovery, more internal than action-driven, with characters that deepen along their peculiar odyssey.

Along the way, Perkins and Mike meet a handful of odd types, from a grizzled old man eager for death to a woman whose healing powers come in handy after Mike encounters a rattlesnake. And throughout their travels, Mike suspects he will meet his own end when he is no longer of use to Perkins.

Jones immerses himself completely in the role of Perkins, though it seems too much like characters he has played before. It is Pepper who brings unexpected nuances to the bigoted Mike.

Although this is a distinctly male world, January Jones makes a vivid impression early on as Mike's bored, restless wife, and Melissa Leo has some good moments as the coffee shop waitress with whom Perkins has loveless sex.

Fans of westerns will sense homages to the films of John Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) and particularly Sam Peckinpah (Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia), but with Arriaga's story and Jones' terse direction, they have crafted those echoes into something distinct and mythic.