The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

Tommy Lee Jones makes an auspicious directorial debut with this grim, western-tinged drama where a fractured, non-linear narrative slowly reveals how an illegal Mexican immigrant came to be shot and buried in a shallow grave, as well as following investigations into his death by his cowboy friend Pete (Jones himself). The second half becomes something altogether different, as questions of loyalty and obsession take us on a blackly humorous journey of guilt and redemption. Jones' performance redefines the meaning of 'grizzled' and Barry Pepper puts himself through endless physical torments as the butt of Pete's mania, leading to a highly satisfying conclusion amidst Chris Menges' stunningly photographed Texan vistas. [Paul Greenwood]