Jamie Foxx Tells Tommy Lee Jones ‘You’re a Fighter’ in Powerful Clip from The Burial (Exclusive)

Jamie Foxx sees Tommy Lee Jones as a kindred spirit of their new drama The Burial.

The film tells the true story of Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe (Jones), a Mississippi funeral residence operator who hires a flashy private damage legal professional Willie Gary (Foxx) to assist him sue a significant Canadian company, the Loewen Group, for breach of contract, claiming they intention to place the squeeze on small companies.

The trendy David-and-Goliath story options sturdy performances from Oscar winners Foxx, 55, and Jones, 76, whose characters bond whereas battling the company large and its CEO, Ray Loewen (Invoice Camp).

In a scene shared solely with PEOPLE, Gary — who was born to poor Florida sharecroppers and labored his technique to turning into so profitable he was featured on Life of the Wealthy and Well-known — and O’Keefe have a frank dialogue about battling the percentages.

“You’re a fighter,” O’Keefe, a married father of 13 youngsters, tells his legal professional.

“I’m a fighter,” Gary agrees. “You’re too, Jer, you’re a fighter, man. You understand why I say you’re a fighter? Going up in opposition to this large Loewen group, man, small enterprise proprietor, man, that’s one thing, that’s why we join. What made you need to do it?”

“Trigger he tried to mess with the one factor which means probably the most to me in life: with the ability to depart one thing behind for my youngsters and my grandchildren after I go,” O’Keefe responds. “They’ve a legacy, Willie, and I do imply to go it on to ‘em.” 

Although the subject material is critical, there are many gentle moments within the film, together with a singalong to “Feels Good” by the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! 

“I had loads of enjoyable working with Jamie,” Jones advised PEOPLE earlier than the SAG-AFTRA strike. “He is enjoyable to be round, and each work day was extremely energized. We did loads of laughing, and a few fairly good work acquired finished too.”

Foxx was superb for enjoying Gary, who has a “enormous, larger-than-life persona,” director Maggie Betts beforehand advised PEOPLE.

“I knew Jamie had the expertise, charisma and vary to deliver this advanced and multifaceted persona to the display,” stated Betts.

“He was an ideal match for the function, and he introduced a lot extra humanity and vulnerability to the character than I may have ever anticipated, which, as a director, was very thrilling to work with,” she continued.

Foxx known as The Burial a “nice American story” and Betts agreed, telling PEOPLE its “themes are so common, and I believe audiences from all walks of life will discover one thing that resonates with them.”

“The movie is triumphant and provoking and can depart audiences laughing, cheering and feeling deeply,” she stated.

Additionally starring in The Burial, which relies on a New Yorker article, are Succession’s Alan Ruck and Lovecraft Nation’s Jurnee Smollett.

The Burial is in choose theaters Friday and on Prime Video Oct. 13.