The picture is REALLY about the white friend of an illegally working Mexican who goes well out of his way to break the young Border Control Officer, played by Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan), who accidentally killed Melquiades of his racial view on his job and his world.

This movie was very well put together and extremely important. At one point, I thought the picture would be another revenge film set in south Texas and Mexico, but once the story reached Mexico it was evident that Pete was teaching the young officer about the culture he had discriminating tendencies against.

Tommy Lee Jones and Barry Pepper both gave Oscar® worthy performances; the best I've seen both of them do in a while. This may have been what Jones will call his greatest role in the long run.

The pacing of "Three Burials" may put some viewers off, but it was important for Jones, also serving in his directorial debut, to pace the movie in a manner so the viewer gets a good grip on the length of the horseback journey he and Pepper make through Mexico.

The material in the picture is extremely odd. There is play with Melquiades' dead body at many moments, even one point where Jones lights the body's head on fire to burn off the fire ants eating it. Very odd stuff, but very strong in the film's final message.

I also enjoyed how the film showing the life of the Mexican poverty folk as being a rough life, BUT the people living it appeared completely happy. Officer Norton (Pepper) got to see Mexicans as well demeanored, gracious, giving and helpful people, rather than as the "border jumping wet-backs" as he saw them before.

I wasn't quite sure what the subplot brewing with Norton's pretty young on-her-way-to-being-anorexic wife was for, but I didn't mind it.

I also appreciated how the film set up the reasons why police chief Belmont, played by Dwight Yoakum (Panic Room), was bitter towards Peter and refused to investigate Melquiades murder properly. They were having an affair with the same married woman, and Yoakum was jealous. I love it when screenwriters give reason for character's poor behavior.

Screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga (21 Grams) put an exceptional original script together of a story of breaking stereotypes and racial thinking when those kinds of messages aren't shared enough in Hollywood made films. The picture ranks up there with the importance of movies like "American History X" and "Mississippi Burning."

The movie runs just over two hours, but it feels longer. I didn't mind it, since I was extremely interested on where the story was going and what Peter's motives and intentions were for Norton. I couldn't wait to see what came next. This is an amazing debut for Jones as a director.

Overall, with an important film like "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" I would suggest everyone see it. I think people will be impressed with Jones and Pepper's performances and find the film smart and intense. I will own this when it comes to DVD.