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Just Mercy (2020)

The powerful true story of Harvard-educated lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who goes to Alabama to defend the disenfranchised and wrongly condemned — including Walter McMillian, a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence. Bryan fights tirelessly for Walter with the system stacked against them.
5.0 / 5
INCLUVIE SCORE
4.0 / 5
MOVIE SCORE
Representation
Black

Incluvie Movie Reviews


Incluvie Writer
March 7, 2023
5 / 5
INCLUVIE SCORE
4 / 5
MOVIE SCORE

Just Mercy: An Admirable Picture

Just Mercy” follows Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), a Harvard graduate who sets his sights toward societal righteousness. He moves to Alabama, with the intent of fighting for poor people who cannot afford proper legal representation. Along the way, he meets Walter “Johnny D” McMillian (Jamie Foxx), an African American man who was wrongly convicted of murdering a Caucasian female. With the help of Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), Stevenson builds a case to bring Johnny D home. The end result is a highly emotional film, overflowing with social and humanistic relatability. Whereas many modern films utilize punches and explosions to achieve an abundance of praise and attention, “Just Mercy” places emotion at the forefront of its cinematic existence. We are thrown into a frustrating world, which hides behind its democratic system. We see the contradictions that exist in such an immoral community, and as the dramatic relationships intensify, the humanistic stakes blow sky high. In the end, we receive a film that tests our patience and heart. In all actuality, Just Mercy should be labeled a “wall punching narrative.” Constantly, the flick throws high forms of adversity our way, amping up our most inner levels of discomfort. Filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton wonderfully paces the film in such a way that replicates the slow-burn nature of justice. Thus, when the motion picture finds its sense of peace and redemption, the ensuing payoffs are monumentally gratifying. Best of all, Just Mercy is a film that celebrates diversity. Michael B. Jordan, an African American performer, is front and center, once again proving that he is an exceptional artist. Brie Larson is given a sturdy supporting role, filled with undying morals and stable willpower. Jamie Foxx, an older African American performer, is given a rich role, consisting of narrative versatility. The other African American performers expertly back up this dramatic trio, building a community that brings racial injustice and communal togetherness to the forefront of public consciousness. In closing, I highly recommend Just Mercy. Sure, there are flaws. As is often with many quote-on-quote Black films, there is a frustrating lack of prominent Black women in a film that finds room for a white woman in high visibility. There are throw-away lines. And sure, the film’s pace drags at specific points. But all in all, Just Mercy is a cinematic success, inspiring us to be better human beings. Through its stern portrayal, it shows us that hope can transcend the harshest of circumstances. -Dillon McCarty
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Movie Information


The powerful true story of Harvard-educated lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who goes to Alabama to defend the disenfranchised and wrongly condemned — including Walter McMillian, a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence. Bryan fights tirelessly for Walter with the system stacked against them.

Rating:
Genre:Drama, Crime, History
Directed By:Destin Daniel Cretton
Written By:Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham
In Theaters:1/10/2020
Box Office:$50,401,502
Runtime:137 minutes
Studio:Netter Productions, Outlier Society, Endeavor Content, MACRO, One Community, Participant, Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast


Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

Director

noImg
cast

Michael B. Jordan

Bryan Stevenson

cast

Brie Larson

Eva Ansley

cast

Jamie Foxx

Walter McMillian

cast

O'Shea Jackson Jr.

Anthony Ray Hinton

cast

Rafe Spall

Tommy Champan

cast

Rob Morgan

Herbert Richardson

cast

Tim Blake Nelson

Ralph Myers

cast

Rhoda Griffis

Judge Pamela Bachab

cast

J. Alphonse Nicholson

Henry Davis

cast

Karan Kendrick

Minnie McMillian

cast

Hayes Mercure

Jeremy Doss