JUST MERCY REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Although it will, most likely, be overlooked at this year's Academy Awards, Just Mercy is still worth watching as it's a moving drama based on a true story that features impressive dramatic performances from Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx.

Just Mercy follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson). One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Foxx), who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Stevenson becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings and overt and unabashed racism as he fights for McMillian, and others like him, with the odds and the system stacked against them.

Prior to watching Just Mercy, my expectations weren't that high after reading mixed reviews. I thought that it would be an average drama that fails to leave any lasting impression, fortunately, I was proven wrong and Just Mercy was better than I expected.

Just Mercy is based on the true story of Stevenson and is based on his book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. I can understand why the writer and director, Destin Daniel Creston, wanted to bring Stevenson's story to the big screen. He captures the struggles that Stevenson faced in order to free an innocent man and save him from facing the electric chair. Despite these struggles, however, he never gave up on McMillian and his setbacks only make him more determined. 

Although Just Mercy does feel like your typical 'Oscar-bait' film, which is when a film is created simply to get acknowledged by the Academy Awards, that doesn't mean it isn't worth watching. It's a well-made, affecting story about people who are do-gooders, rather than merely muddying the waters. It takes a clear-eyed look at the ugly side of jurisprudence and how the concept of justice requires a lot more than appearing in a courtroom and trusting to the rightness of one's position, which is the case if you're a black man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When it comes to solving a heinous crime to pacify an angry public, some law enforcement officers aren't above scapegoating an unlucky individual whose misfortune was to be in the general vicinity of the location of the murder. Despite the clear evidence proving his innocence, McMillian was found guilty after a white man, Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson), says that he saw him commit the crime. 

The story for Just Mercy succeeds at being thought provoking and highlight how big of an issue racism is. There have been a lot of dramas that have been released recently, including the underrated The Hate U Give and Queen & Slim, that capture the prejudice and discrimination people of colour face. When watching these films, I felt the fear that they felt and also anger that people of colour are still being judged and discriminated against. 

The strongest aspect of Just Mercy are the performances by Jordan and Foxx. As Stevenson, Jordan captures his determination to free an innocent man. I respected Stevenson for never giving up on McMillian, a man who has lost all hope of being freed and reuniting with his family. When the two meet for the first time, McMillian is doubtful of Stevenson as he's young and inexperienced, however, Stevenson promises to do everything he can to free him. Foxx is equally as impressive as McMillian and delivers one of his best dramatic performances. Larson delivers a solid supporting role as Eva, who is an activist against the death penalty, however, I did feel like she was underused. 

Creston is best known for directing the dramas, Short Term 12 and The Glass Castle, which both starred Larson. While Short Term 12 was moving and featured an impressive performance from Larson, The Glass Castle was a disappointment. With Just Mercy, Creston has improved on the latter and, while it's not as good as the former, it's still a solid piece of drama that features impressive performances. Creston presents the story in a straightforward manner and highlights the bigotry of the late 1980s/90s in the Deep South. Just Mercy is political in its determination to bring bigger attention not only to Stevenson's story, which has been resolved, but to the systemic factors in his incarceration and convictiom, some of which have yet to be resolved. The bottom line is that, when skin colour is taken out of the equation, the wrongful application of the death penalty calls into question the nature of justice in the US. making the efforts of men like Stevenson all the more important in restoring legitimacy to the legal process.

With strong dramatic performances from Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx and a thought provoking story, Just Mercy dramatises a real-life injustice and, although many will view the film as nothing more than 'Oscar-bait', it's worth seeing on the big screen.

8/10