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MOVIE REVIEW
Just Mercy By Franqui-Ann J. Raffaele, Esq.
I
have always loved to watch movies about the law, even before I became a lawyer. I think now I just fact check them. I have seen a lot of the greats, like My Cousin Vinny, A Civil Action, and Erin Brockovich, to name a few. One of my more recent favorites is Just Mercy. Based on a true story and the memoir with the same name, the film follows a young defense attorney, Bryan Stevenson (portrayed by Michael B. Jordan), as he navigates the justice system in Montgomery, Alabama in the pursuit of what would become his life’s work – the Equal Justice Initiative. The Equal Justice Initiative centers on obtaining justice and redemption for wrongfully convicted poor individuals on death row. The film focuses on Bryan’s attempts to start and run the initiative in a small racially charged community. He meets with inmates on death row who are waiting appeals of their convictions. Common threads emerge from these meetings – many inmates had inadequate representation and a majority of them were black. It is here Bryan meets Walter “Johnny D” McMillian, convicted of the murder of Ronda Morrison, an 18-year-old white girl in 1986. It is this case at the core of the film.
good and correct social injustices. This film highlights the trials and tribulations of trying to accomplish those moral goals as a young attorney, especially while being a black man in a world already set against him. It is a film about redemption and the pursuit of justice. Being based on the reallife accomplishments of Bryan Stevenson, it provides an inspiring tale.
After a review of his case, Bryan finds the evidence of Johnny D’s conviction lacking, relying almost entirely on the contradictory statements made by Ralph Myers, a career criminal currently convicted and serving time. Bryan sets out to appeal Johnny D’s conviction, all while trying to convince Johnny D that he has a chance. The film follows the lengths taken and the efforts made by Bryan as he tries to prove Johnny D’s innocence. Just Mercy is one of my favorite films because it is such a powerful story. Many people choose to become attorneys to do
The film first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2019 and opened in theaters on January 10, 2020. Just Mercy stars a medley of phenomenal talent. The acting is commanding and emotive, with a particularly impassioned performance by Jamie Foxx, who plays Walter McMillian. The rest of the cast provides equally believable performances, including Brie Larson and Tim Blake Nelson. For those seeking to learn more about the social injustice of the criminal justice system or the [fairly true to] real life story of Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative, I recommend watching this film and taking in the truly impactful performances of its actors.
SUMMER 2022 17
