Just Mercy (2019)

8.0 /10

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Based on:  Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption (2014) by Bryan Stevenson

Star Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall

Running time: 136 minutes

Genre:  Biography, Drama

Synopsis: In 1987, Walter "Johnny D" McMillian (Jamie Foxx)gets arrested and sentenced to death for the murder of a young white woman. Somewhere in 1989, Harvard law graduate Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) travelled to the state of Alabama and established "Equal Justice Initiative" with Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) to help those who seek. There he learns about McMillian's Case and decides to fight and get justice for him.

Director Destin Cretton on-board the audience in such a way that it becomes nearly impossible to take yourself out of the storm of emotions. Just Mercy unfolds layer by layer & explores all corners of the judicial system and our social surroundings and how it still needs so much improvement. How can the system be so prejudiced and indifferent for one portion of society? How gates of Justice are closed for them? These questions resound throughout the film.  The film portrays Stevenson's struggle and shows the challenges and difficulties one has to face in fighting with the System.  This becomes more problematic when no one wants to see the truth, which is as clear as crystal. Just Mercy isn't something exceptional or extraordinary but it strongly hits the right spots at the right time.

Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx's expressions speak for him throughout the movie and are more effective than the dialogue. The authentic performances of the supporting cast are one key element of the film. Rob Morgan as Herbert Richardson and Tim Nelson as Ralph Myers give a memorable performance. Brie Larson with a little screen time leaves an impression. She may not be a popular choice for superhero films, but she's the perfect actor to play real-life heroes on screen. Michael B. Jordan shines throughout the film and we can expect to see him in such roles again in the future.

With a huge cast, Just Mercy faces challenges in character development. Supporting casts are introduced without any background story. Unfortunately, Cretton fails to effectively utilize the talent of Academy Award winner Brie Larson. Also, the film struggles to provide sufficient screen time to all characters except its protagonists.

Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan

Films like this is very much needed so that we keep on improving ourselves and society. It becomes more important when the shocking facts are presented to us. It makes us think about what we have achieved and what needs to be achieved yet. Just Mercy can be the story of one place or a country but there are social problems (which need to be eliminated) in every country, just the scenario, and people change.

Overall, Just Mercy is not a film that is driven by a strong storyline or enjoyable courtroom drama but it relies on the emotional build-up which it creates by exposing harsh reality. One doesn't feel the runtime of 136 min while watching. You get strong performances and the film delivers an important social message. All this makes Just Mercy a film, almost impossible to ignore or miss.