Just Mercy
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
“Just Mercy” is another timely released film that reflects on today’s ongoing issues of racism and injustice in this country. This time, the true story is from the perspective of notable advocate Bryan Stevenson, who started off helping those who’ve been unjustly convicted. It’s based on Stevenson’s book “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption<" and it's brought to the screen by co-writer and director Destin Daniel Cretton.
In 1987 Alabama, hard-working Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) was wrongfully convicted and put on death row for the murder of an 18-year old white girl. A few years later, young ambitious lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) moves to the state to start a defense firm for death row inmates. Along with his secretary Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), he interviews some potential clients before talking to McMillian. After hearing the story, Stevenson makes it his personal mission to help McMillian find justice and try to get released.
But in a state that plays by its own rules, Stevenson has to go through many obstacles as an African-American lawyer in the deep south. He does gather information about the night of the arrest and receives further information from McMillian's family. Plus, he interviews disfigured inmate Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson) who made conflicting claims that put McMillian behind bars. All Stevenson has to do is convince the law to take another look at the injustice they caused.
On the surface, the movie certainly means well when it tells this true story with heart and courage. It does a good job giving the audience a chance to get to know the main character and understand enough to believe in his cause. Once Stevenson meets McMillian, then the movie becomes a feel-good, buddy drama that doesn't go cynical in manipulating the viewer's emotions. When it gets to the end, you'll likely find yourself cheering through and through, no matter how predictable it looks.
But while it does a good job at depicting life in the south at that time, there's something off about the way the film tells this true story. Like in any film about this subject, some of the Alabama residents, like the police, are portrayed as cartoony and stereotypical whenever they act upon the main characters. It's difficult if any of that is true, but one would argue that there could be a grain of truth to the whole thing. Whether or not you agree with it, it does bring out the anger and the sadness the movie was going for.
The performances from the main cast are great, which really helps elevate the material from being simply stale. Jordan is fantastic portraying Stevenson as a brave fighter for justice facing opposition at every turn. Foxx gives a career-best performance and gives the film some brilliant drama that's quite unexpected. Together, these two actors work very well with each other that will have you clamoring for more. Larson doesn't have lots to do, but she also has some great acting of her own in all of her scenes. Nelson is basically replaying his role from O Brother, Where Art Thou with the addition of makeup, and he's not too bad in the long run.
With good intentions, "Just Mercy" works pretty well on its own and that's enough. It's worth seeing if you haven't seen any good drama in a while or just haven't been to the movies in a while. Either way, you'll likely find some enjoyment in the viewing.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for thematic content including some racial epithets)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
