Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan in ‘Just Mercy’.
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
Screenplay by: Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Lanham, based on “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by: Bryan Stevenson
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, Brie Larson
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of Truth. ~ Albert Einstein
Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Just Mercy,” a story of a wrongfully accused African-American man sitting on death row and the idealistic Bryan Stevenson’s, played deftly by Michael B. Jordan, attempts to prove that innocence in the Deep South plays to our modern sympathies in a most unique and compelling fashion.
Cretton clearly defines the screen version of Stevenson within the first few frames of the film. Although he is an idealist from the underserved Milton, Delware, we first see Stevenson in a death row prison, though he is not a lawyer. When he delivers news to an inmate, something that gives such relief to the prisoner, Stevenson knows that he is on the right path to serving those who cannot help themselves.
“Just Mercy” is more than just Stevenson’s journey. We get a glimpse in to how African Americans were treated in the Deep South in the late 1980’s, impediments that would later be used to slow down his efforts to free Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), a small business owner who is detained for the 1986 murder of a white woman and is ultimately sentenced to death.
The film is ultimately an actor’s showcase. As Stevenson, Jordan wears his emotions on his sleeves, showcasing his range since his biggest hits have come from a pair of boxing gloves; his imposing figure strengthened by his courage and restraint while showing empathy for his cause, building our sympathies to not only his own struggles, but that of his client.
Jamie Foxx, who has been nominated with a Supporting Actor nomination from both SAG and the African-American Film Critics Association is deservedly so. We’ve seem his restraint before in films like “Collateral.” With this performance, he has to intentionally keep his guard up at every corner, even as he supports fellow inmates, Herbert Richardson (Rob Morgan) and Anthony Ray Hinton (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.)
The story by Cretton and Andrew Lanham, who collaborated with Cretton on “The Glass Castle” eventually breaks down the psychological barriers of isolation within Walter as he realizes that Bryan is the real deal, not some other shyster promising the moon, only to fail to deliver it.
We don’t blame Walter for his reticence, but the family, a wife twice scorned still stands by his side. They are the hope that something good can come out of this. Cretton reminds us, rather painfully, of the failure that Stevenson must endure before he finds his true path forward.
Brie Larson as Eva Ansley is by Stevenson’s side all throughout the case. As his assistant, we even see the struggles she endures to find an office for them to work in. The role eventually fades in to the background to support Stevenson. Rafe Spall plays Tommy Champan, the District Attorney who is as much a roadblock as any, though we see just the smallest waver in the attitude toward the case.
The story meanders just a bit to get to the heart of McMillan’s case, though it goes to build the credibility that hope is not worn on a shoestring, but on the backs of every single individual in a community.
“Just Mercy” is hope personified in courage in the face of adversity. Jamie Foxx remains a strong player and Michael B. Jordan personifies Einstein’s quote – we must question everything, but we must also be prepared to defend our questioning.
3.5 out of 4 stars
