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[tab title="Movie Review"]

Just Mercy

At one point in Just Mercy, the new film from director, co-writer Destin Daniel Cretton (The Glass Castle), the film’s main character Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) points out that “the opposite of poverty isn’t wealth, it’s justice.” Those words set the tone for the tangle of legal and political maneuverings Stevenson will encounter in this story with a narrative that that has been going on for a long time in this country: racism is still relevant. And – despite having been told over and over – this is a story that, sadly, still needs to be told.

"despite having been told over and over – this is a story that, sadly, still needs to be told"


The film is based on the powerful true story (and book) about wet-behind-the-ears lawyer Stevenson and his history-making battle to bring justice to those who can’t afford it. Believe it or not, there’s still a significant segment of society for whom justice is only a fairy tale. A privilege only to be enjoyed by the wealthy and entitled. But armed with his newly-acquired Harvard law degree and his newly-founded Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Stevenson sets out for Alabama to make a difference in the lives of those who need a little hope.

Whereas Stevenson’s book examined many of the cases taken on by the EJI, Cretton and co-writer Andrew Lanham focus mainly on the case of Walter McMillian aka Johnny D (Jamie Foxx), who was arrested, convicted, and placed on death row based upon falsified testimony from a white witness, despite numerous black witnesses who know that Johnny D was with them at the time of the murders. {googleads}

It is important to point out that Stevenson and his EJI are in the deep south, specifically Monroe County, Alabama, where he is constantly reminded to check out the To Kill a Mockingbird museum which becomes not only a running joke, but also a reminder of the hypocrisy held by a place that boasts of a “civil rights museum” yet ignores the history of its once-thriving slave market.

Stevenson acquires the help of like-minded assistant Eva Ansley (Brie Larson, Captain Marvel) to take on the stubborn district attorney (Rafe Spall, The Big Short), and an entire community unwilling to dig up old wounds for the sake of the freedom of someone wrongfully accused. If the case sounds familiar, it’s likely because it was featured on a 1992 60 Minutes episode which helps drive home the thought that were it not born from an actual real-life case, Johnny D’s dilemma would be too far-fetched to believe.

The acting in Just Mercy is top notch with Jordan’s star power taking charge as his Stevenson displays a bold charisma and extreme likability while never having to ham it up. His role is one of a David vs. Goliath variety as he puts his career – and his life – on the line as a black man in Alabama, especially with what he’s trying to do.Just Mercy

Larson is grossly underused yet does the best she can with what she’s given. Foxx turns in his best in quite some time as his Johnny D runs the gamut of emotions and always feels real. The actor’s Texas roots undoubtedly play a role in his understanding of the character. Playing the coerced witness is a wonderful Tim Blake Nelson, while O’Shea Jackson is also memorable as a fellow death row inmate convicted by a judge who thought he was guilty simply because “he looked like a murderer.”

Sadly, Cretton never really pushes quite hard enough to make Just Mercy something more than yet another Important Issue film. We feel the message, and we get what the filmmakers are trying to say, but we’ve seen the rather basic narrative structure before, and it never quite reaches beyond the boundaries of what other similar films have done. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to like. Though a bit mechanical, it is a good film with very important issues that need to be addressed. And hats off to Cretton for getting the most from his stellar cast.

The verdict is in: despite its rather formulaic script and well-worn narrative structure, Just Mercy is a film that needs to be seen. It is the celebration of the true heroes who want to change our criminal justice system that treats those who are rich and guilty better than those who are poor and innocent. How’s that for just mercy?

3/5 stars

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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]

Just Mercy

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Warner Bros.
Available on Blu-ray
- April 14, 2020
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles
: English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Audio:
English: Dolby Atmos; English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; English: Dolby Digital 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set; DVD copy
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

The verdict is in. Warner Bros. delivers a solid Blu-ray + Digital Code edition of the legal drama Just Mercy. The cardboard slip-covered edition comes with a single blu-ray disc and a Movies Anywhere digital redemption code. Included on the disc is the film, a making-of featurette, a couple of behind-the-scenes shorts and a handful of deleted scenes. All-in-all a respectable release for a film that, somehow, didn't get the audience attention it deserved.

Video

The 1080p 1.85:1 transfer is a solid one that always impresses despite its mostly sterile and anemic settings. With many interior scenes of law offices, courtrooms, or prison cells , there's not a lot to show off with regards to whiz-bang visuals, but the transfer is near flawless with its muted color palette and super sharp details. This is as close to reference quality video you're likely to get. But, due to its subject matter, there's just not a whole lot to get overly excited about.

Audio

Warner's Dolby Atmos audio mix that is on the disc is always faithful and true with clear dialogue and haunting echoes of Joel P. West's beautiful score. Crank it up when treated to the gospel dulcet tones of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas' Ode to Billie Joe, Alabama Shakes' Don't Wanna Fight, or the gospel sounds of Ella Fitzgerald's Old Rugged Cross as it wafts through the concrete walls and iron doors of the prison. There's nothing here to really knock your socks off, but there's plenty to wow you with. There is also a Dolby TrueHD 7.1, an English: Dolby Digital 5.1, a French: Dolby Digital 5.1, a Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, and a Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1 track.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • None

Special Features:

A handful of featurettes and deleted scenes blesses the disc and will certainly be appreciated by fans of the film. The best of them all is the short piece on the Equal Justice Initiative which features the real life lawyer Brian Williamson as he sits down for an interview about his non-profit organization that is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment.

  • Making Mercy (04:06)
  • The Equal Justice Initiative (08:10)
  • This Moment Deserves (06:07)
  • Deleted Scenes (14:31)

Blu-ray Rating:

  Movie 3/5 stars
  Video  4/5 stars
  Audio 4/5 stars
  Extras 3/5 stars

Overall Blu-ray Experience

3.5/5 stars

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[tab title="Film Details"]

Just Mercy

MPAA Rating: PG-13 on appeal for crude sexual content and language.
Runtime:
136 mins
Director
: Destin Daniel Cretton
Writer:
Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham
Cast:
PG-13 for thematic content including some racial epithets.
Genre
: Drama
Tagline:
They're giving Dirty Rotten Men a run for their Money.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Every generation has its hero. Meet ours."
Theatrical Distributor:
Warner Bros.
Official Site: https://www.justmercyfilm.com/
Release Date:
January 10, 2020
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
April 14, 2020
Synopsis: World-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson works to free a wrongly condemned death row prisoner.

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[tab title="Art"]

Just Mercy

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