[Review] Just Mercy(2020) {8/10}

Co-written by Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, 'Just Mercy' is based on the 'Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption' a memoir written by Bryan Stevenson. The film stars Michael B.Jordan (Bryan Stevenson), Jamie Foxx (Walter McMillian), Brie Larson (Eva Ansley), Tim Blake Nelson (Ralph Myers), O' Shea Jackson Jr. (Anthony Ray Hinston) and J.Alphonse Nicholson (Henry Davis). It tells the true story of Walter McMillian, who with the help of a young attorney Bryan Stevenson, appeals his murder conviction.

After graduating from Harvard, young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B.Jordan) decides, after completing an internship helping Death Row inmates, to devote himself to the cause full-time. He heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or those not afforded proper representation. Bryan team up with Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) and starts focusing on the case of Walter "Johnny D.McMillian" (Jamie Foxx) who was accused and convicted of killing a teen girl based on the testimony of two unreliable witnesses. Bryan thinks it will be easy to prove that Johnny D. is innocent as he was nowhere near the crime scene at the time of the murder but he quickly finds out that the white establishment in Alabama is not so eager to allow convicted murder back out on the street, no matter what the evidence says. Bryan encounters racism and legal and political, maneuverings as he timelessly fights for McMillian's life.

The prison/courtroom drama is still effectively tense and moving thanks to fine performances and the picture it presents of simmering racial injustice. The film quickly establishes a good sense of place, from Bryan suffering the indignities of being black in alabama to the large gathering of friends and neighbors at the home of Johnny D.'s family when Bryan goes to see them. Jamie Foxx's performance is outstanding. Michael B.Jordan never cease to amaze, taking one more step forward in his creativity and depth in the world of acting. The film also offers a slate of incredible supporting actors including Johnny's next cell neighbors on Death Row (O' Shea Jackson Jr. and Robert Morgan), district attorney (Rafe Spall) and a candy munching convict (Tim Blake Nelson). As the pieces of the puzzle come together, occasionally blocked by bigotry and corruption, the tension and excitement start to ramp-up. An important story of injustice which inspires and takes it's time to get there but the conclusion is unquestionably impactful.

'Just Mercy' is now available on Digital and Blu-ray.