Movies like this, I initially approach with a bit of
trepidation. After watching the trailer I was thinking this is so Hollywood
in its treatment of movies based on true events and issues of race; all style
and no substance.
Does ‘Just Mercy’ fall in a long line of movies dealing with racial issues
using sugar coated storytelling? I’m happy to say that this movie tackle’s its
issues head on.
Fresh from Harvard, young lawyer Bryan Stevenson heads down South to Alabama to
provide legal services for those less fortunate [and] those imprisoned
unfairly. His first defining case was Walter McMillan, [a prisoner] on death row
for a murder he didn’t commit. Backing evidence [was] ignored and covered up by
local authorities.
It’s not a spoiler to say that his story has a happy ending, yet it’s sobering
and heartbreaking that Stevenson’s case is the exception when you realize the many
victims of death row that were innocent.
There were moments that were formulaic but thankfully didn’t
take away from the powerful performances and the seriousness of the story
that’s told.
‘Just Mercy’ is an indictment on the unfairness of social justice and “the
guilty until proven innocent” doctrine prevalent in the justice system as it
pertains to the less fortunate.
Oh Yeah: Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan bring their “A” games in award-worthy
performances.
Grade: A |THIS
[Written by Leland Wyrick | Follow THIS on Twitter @THISENT1]
