Just Mercy

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson, Rafe Spall, Rob Morgan, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, Michael Harding
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
2019

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A Civil Defense attorney (Michael B. Jordan) begins fighting for death row inmates he believes have been unfairly treated. His focus on a man (Jamie Foxx) accused of a brutal murder threatens the security of the small town that convicted him.

Review:

Tim: I was truly struck by Bryan Stevenson's incredible memoir. Like most Americans, I was aware that the justice system doesn't work equally for everyone. And, if you're a minority- especially if you're black, it often doesn't work at all. I had no concept, though, of the extent of the injustice routinely perpetrated by the American "justice" system. The book goes into great detail, highlighting many of the most egregious cases. It's an infuriating book, one that shows you how racism and systemic injustice has ruined the lives of countless Americans. It's a book I highly recommend reading.

I was quite excited to see the movie and leapt at the chance to see it in June 2020, when Warner Brothers made it free for everyone, in response to the countrywide protests against police brutality that took place after the despicable murder of George Floyd. It was a good move and I sincerely hope as many people as possible search this movie out. Not only does it tackle an important subject matter, the movie is a really effective adaptation.

I give director Destin Daniel Cretton a ton of credit for crafting a faithful adaptation that conveys a similar sense of emotion to the books. Here, he works hard to personalize the characters. They aren't just statistics, but human beings who have suffered at the hands of injustice. The book goes into many different cases, but there's a few that especially stick with you. Walter McMillian gets the largest focus in the book and appropriately, that's the case here. I was impressed that the script manages to touch on a few others. It would be unrealistic to think the movie could cover everything in the book. Generally, the cuts made were the right ones. We get to know McMillian and his family as the film progresses. That's where the emotion comes from.

The cast was impressive. Michael B. Jordan has been doing such great work in recent years. It's fun to see his star continue to rise. He's so good here as Stevenson. His performance is a subtle one. He could have easily looked at this as his chance for an Academy Award nomination and took the performance to extreme lengths. He never does that. His performance felt like it was guided by a desire to tell Stevenson's story. There wasn't a single second I didn't believe his performance. He works so well in this role. He has a good collaborator with Jamie Foxx. I've never loved Foxx, but I admit he is a really good actor. He might be even more effective in supporting roles. He was able to bring real humanity to McMillian. He made you care about him, while acknowledging the man's flaws. It's a great example of flawed characters still being relatable and likable. It's a really good performance. There's a few scenes between Jordan and Fox that are just wonderful to watch.

I've somewhat struggled with Brie Larson in recent years. It's not that she isn't a good actress- she is. It's just something about her performances that feel like she's holding something back- like she's not all in. I don't know, it's hard to pinpoint it, but it makes me less a fan of her. I thought she gave a good performance here, although those same complaints arose again. Still, I left this film feeling like she undeniably contributed and added to the movie. I really like Tim Blake Nelson, but I wasn't quite convinced of his performance here. There's moments where he's excellent, and moments where he's trying too hard. Rafe Spall on the other hand, truly inhabited his character. He was so believable in this role and his performance pulled out all the appropriate emotions at the right times. It was nice to see Rob Morgan and O'Shea Jackson Jr. in smaller supporting roles- both worked well.

This movie is really effective, although it didn't quite do enough to differentiate itself. There's been so many great courtroom dramas over the years. This film delivers a powerful message, but the movie falls short of greatness. It's a story you won't forget, but not one that demands repeat viewings. Make no mistake, these are minor criticisms. I was so impressed with how this movie adapted Stevenson's book so effectively. This is a strong movie and one that people should see. Just Mercy is well worth your time.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



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