A wonderful novel from last year now has its own series on Apple, and a 1995 legal case from Mississippi gets its Amazon film adaptation.

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple+) - I enjoyed this novel by Bonnie Garmus when it was published in April of 2022. So, to see there’s a TV adaptation this soon is something of a welcome rarity. The only nagging question ahead of its Apple+ debut would have been whether the spirit and intricate plotting of the novel would be kept intact, flashbacks and all. That Garmus is on board as an Executive Producer held some hope that this adaptation to a TV series would still charm. Brie Larson takes on the central role of chemist Elizabeth Zott, while Lewis Pullman (son of Bill Pullman) portrays Calvin Evans, the science prodigy. Set in the 1950s, the novel was a great take on feminism back then and how hard it was for women to make a mark in men-dominated professions - when all the world expected of you was to be a homemaker. 

For those familiar with the novel, they welcome the fact that the canine narrator is pruned down and mostly absent. It may have been cute in the book, but it would have been rather silly if still used in the series. Unfortunately, a lot of the sharp, biting humor has also been jettisoned. It’s now more of a straight-ahead narrative, but one with enough twists and turns so that the series and the cast still shine. Just thinking of the what-could-have-been if they managed to retain the novel's humor. Larson is effective as Zott, and it’s nice to see her taking on a role that’s a pretty far cry from her stint in Marvel superhero films. Pullman is the revelation here, displaying a lot of the good-natured, genuine niceness that was the stock and trade of his father. I’ve watched two episodes, and so far, so good.

The Burial (Amazon Prime) - Academy Award winners Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Fox team up in this legal drama based on true events from 1995. Willie Gary (Fox) is a loud, colorful black lawyer featured in Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Jones) owns several funeral parlors in Mississippi and is offered a fraudulent deal by a big Canadian player in the funeral and death insurance industry. The action in this drama commences when Jerry is advised to hire Willie as his lawyer in the case he’ll file against Loewen, the Canadian company. Along the way, Black history and racial discrimination are all trotted out to highlight the reality of living in the South and how inequalities still plague it.

As a courtroom drama, the film hits all the right spots. One good aspect is how Loewen hires an African-American lawyer and a woman to boot, Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett). It’s good to watch Jamie Fox take on this role and go to town with his portrayal, as it’s a perfect match for his talents and range. Tommy Lee Jones has his moments, and he picks them well - you’ll especially love the one when he breaks out in an R&B song at the most inappropriate moment. They’re both having fun in this film, and it’s rewarding to note that the drama can inject humor and elevate the genre while still entertaining. There may be something old school about the film, but it’s good old school.