A Time to Kill
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughy, Kevin Spacey, Brendan Fricker, Oliver Platt, Charles S. Dutton, Ashley Judd, Donald Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Cooper
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
1996

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: A young attorney (Matthew McConaughy) defends an African-American father (Samuel L. Jackson) who killed two whites who raped and brutually ravaged his daughter.

Review:
Tim: John Grisham knows how to write a legal thriler, and this, his first novel, is still one of his best. This film faithfully follows the book. Director Joel Schumacher directs an electrifying, thrilling movie that keeps us completely engrossed.

Grisham created some truly great characters and an amazing number of terrific actors are in this film. It is nearly impossible to find a movie with a better overall cast. Everyone contributes powerful and moving performances. Matthew McConaughy gave the best-to-date performance of his career. Samuel L. Jackson is incredible- who can forget the "Yes they deserved to die, and I hope they burn in hell!" line? Sandra Bullock gives a good supporting role, and do father and son Donald and Kiefer Sutherland. Kevin Spacey is incredible as always, and even Ashley Judd, Chris Cooper, and Oliver Platt add good smaller supporting performances.

One weak area of the film involves not really hitting home on how much McConaughy's character sacrificed for this trial. Sure, the movie does a good job showing what befalls him, but it misses a bit of emotion here.

That is the only are where emotion is lacking. From the horrific rape of Jackson's daughter to the tearjerking closing argument by McConaughy, this is a film overflowing with emotion. It is a very, very good film.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Client, The Firm, The Devil's Advocate, The Rainmaker, Witness