Once in a while, a film comes along that is as important societally as it is entertaining and enthralling. Just Mercy is that motion picture and lucky for our entire planet, it is now out on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital.
The film is the true story of lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), who—after graduating from Harvard Law School—chose a life of law that circled around representing souls on death row. In Just Mercy, that mission brings him to Alabama and Walter McMillian (Oscar winner Jamie Foxx). Back in 1987, he was sentenced to die for the gruesome murder of an 18-year-old girl, even though there was more than enough evidence to secure his innocence. While visiting death row, Stevenson would meet several other convicted prisoners with flimsy cases that resulted in guilty verdicts. Stevenson made it his life mission to free the innocent and, in the process, his story could change your view on the death penalty in America.
Aiding the young lawyer is Eva Ansley (Oscar winner Brie Larson), whose passion for advocacy is matched by Stevenson’s legal gifts at representing those who have been lacking any kid of quality lawyering. The two make up a tough team who are driven by justice, right and the might of the truth. Make no mistake, this is Jordan’s show, but he and Larson make a powerful team that pierces the heart with their impassioned work for those who have never had anyone in their corner.
Just Mercy comes from writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton (who gifted us the overlooked classic, The Glass Castle), from a story first impeccably captured in Bryan Stevenson’s bestselling 2014 memoir, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. It’s as richly verbally as it is emotively. Stevenson works many of the cases who fill out Alabama’s death row in the late 80s, but it is McMillian’s fate that dominates the narrative. It all is just so overwhelming, but somehow Stevenson and Ansley never stop fighting and that, my friends, could not be more inspiring for the times we currently reside. As a reviewer, I never seek to invoke politics into my exploration of a film. But what Just Mercy has achieved is make me completely change my opinion on the death penalty. I may not do that for you, but if it achieves that sentiment from at least one other person, than this film was worth all it took to bring to life. The fact that innocent men and women could be put to death, when their initial trial lacked any kind of jurisprudence, is a blood stain on our society that will never fade.
Jordan has been a favorite of The Movie Mensch since we first saw him in The Wire back in 2002. He has since crafted a cinematic resume that is just astounding, from Chronicle to Creed to Black Panther. There is something unique that the actor brings to his projects … a subtle strength that can explode when called for, which he doesn’t necessarily need here. He doesn’t have to get overly worked up in court to show his passion for his clients and their cause. Stevenson has right and might on his side and … of course, the law.
By his side is Larson, and everyone who has watched her career keenly knows the immaculate presence she brings to any character. What is so stupendous about the actresses’ performance in this film is she knows when to shine and when to support. Literally, Larson is the definition of a supporting actress in Just Mercy. From her southern accent and determined, but precise, manner in which she attacks the issues that confront this legal team—it is collectively sublime.
Then, there’s Foxx. He plays McMillian as a man who has given up when we meet him. It’s only the arrival of his new legal team where hope inches back into his life. There are many, many speedbumps still to cross. But for the first time since his arrest, this man believes that one day he can hug his wife and children as tightly as humanly possible. He is the physical and cinematic embodiment of a justice system gone awry. With an actor of Foxx’s chops, not only does he paint from a canvas of compassion that fills out McMillian’s persona, but there is a human element that is divinely palpable.
This is a story that spent 180 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers List and its resonance is clearly important and now that it has leapt to the silver screen, its’ power can expand exponentially. Now that it’s home where anyone in the world can witness its splendor, it is a gift to humanity that sorely needs one right now.
Bonus features take viewers behind the scenes and gives insight from all involved. Each featurette is as fascinating and vital as the previous one.
Making Mercy is a solid, and concise four-minute extra that finds the cast and the filmmaker waxing poetic about what it took to bring the beloved book to life. Something that stands out with this featurette is Jordan and how he’s grown as an actor, and as a man. This is an individual who is a force of nature and whose work, we believe, it just starting to find its footing of excellence.
This Moment Deserves is exactly what one would think it would be as it delves deeper into the injustices pressed upon minorities and the poor that have resulted in a systematic mishandling of justice rooted in racism. It is uncanny the number of wrongfully imprisoned souls there are in this country and until there are more Stevenson’s out there (he has freed over 130 wrongly accused persons on death row in his career), we will be an imperfect society.
The last true featurette, The Equal Justice Initiative, brightly shines a spotlight on Stevenson’s organization and the work it’s done over the decades. Through its eight-minute run, prepare to be angered, inspired and even misty eyed at this one man justice machine. When it hits you how many lives he’s freed (and the countless family members who now get their loved one back), do not be surprised if you find yourself donating to his Equal Justice Initiative.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A