Just Mercy
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson, Tim Blake Nelson
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
Rated: PG-13
Based on a true story, Just Mercy follows lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) as he takes on the cases of several clients on death row in rural Alabama. Brian takes a particular interest in the case of Walter McMillan, (known as Johnny D.) due to the lack of evidence surrounding a guilty verdict. With the help of Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) and Walter’s family, Bryan will fight to clear his name and free him from death row.
Just Mercy is a profoundly affecting film telling a story that audiences need to see. Director Destin Daniel Cretton takes the viewer into death row to show the life of three prisoners, Johnny D. (Jamie Foxx), Anthony (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), and Herbert (Rob Morgan) and how they are each affected by their situation. The central focus is on Johnny D. As the story unfolds and we learn more about his arrest; it’s downright shocking that he’s in this position at all. He was arrested for the murder of an innocent woman, but had a clear cut alibi on the day it took place with several people to vouch for him. Yet, no one listens. It’s disturbing to believe that someone could go to jail, much less death row, with no evidence surrounding their arrest. There is a clear racial element at play in the rural Alabama town. The film actively points out the flaws of the criminal justice system and that 1 in 9 people on death row is innocent! Often because they don’t have access to the right legal counsel. That’s a terrifying statistic!
The majority of Just Mercy rests on the shoulders of its leading actors, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, and the two give extraordinary performances here. Michael B. Jordan is inspired as the lawyer you want to have on your side, fighting for his client's tooth and nail for freedom from death row. He opens up the EJI (Equal Justice Initiative) with Eva Ansley to help give legal counsel to those who cannot afford legal services. Even though other lawyers have given up, he will not stop fighting. Jordan highlights so many emotions: empathy, anger, and genuine fear that he won’t be able to get Johnny D out of his tiny cell. Even though he’s been advised against it, Stevenson develops a camaraderie with each of his clients. Awards certainly don’t mean everything, but it’s a shame he’s not getting any attention for this performance.
You’ve seen him Beat Shazaam, you’ve seen him win an Oscar for playing Ray Charles, now see him in an entirely different role as Johnny D McMillan. People talk about actors who can transform into different characters, and Jamie Foxx needs to be included in that conversation as well. This is such an emotional performance from him. Johnny D. proclaims his innocence but is hesitant even to accept a lawyer’s help because he’s been so jaded in the past. Johnny acts as the anchor for his friends Ray and Anthony when things get tough, keeping them calm. Even though he has every reason to be overwhelmed and hysterical about his situation, he remains a loyal and steady friend. Foxx is strong when he needs to be but emotionally vulnerable in all the right moments. This is one of his best performances.
The supporting cast is equally strong with Brie Larson as Eva Ansley, the co-founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. She supports and encourages Brian every step of the way, working at the EJI to find information that will help free his clients.
Tim Blake Nelson is Ralph Myers, a prison inmate whose testimony is the reason Johnny D. is on death row. Nelson initially seems to be a redneck caricature, but as the film progresses, we find out there are a lot more layers to Ralph.
Rafe Spall is the infuriating prosecutor, Tom Chapman. He does everything he can to stop Bryan from getting Johnny D. out of death row. I guess he plays his part well because you will be very annoyed with this character by the time you’re done watching the movie.
Just Mercy is a frustrating film. Seeing an innocent man do time for a crime that he did not commit will infuriate you, but that is the cold hard reality of the situation. This film has made me think a lot about the state of the justice system today. Led by two excellent performances and a thought-provoking true story, you’ll be thinking about Just Mercy long after you leave the theater.
My Rating: 8/10