You know the deal. My wheel house. Drama. True Story. Makes you feel shit. Toss in 2 A listers who put out spectacular performances and you have yourself an EASY 9. Wow. What an OUTSTANDING MASTERPIECE.
This is based on the true story of a black man in the racist south, during the 80’s who is so obviously wrongly accused of murder and not even given a fair trail and put right on death row. This character is played by Jamie Foxx. While on death row a recent black graduate from Harvard comes down to the south where he is from to take on this case, as he digs into it, realizing this is completely bullshit. While at Harvard, this lawyer worked on cases involving strictly death row inmates which causes his career path to focus solely on these cases, and the people that should not be on there. The lawyer is played by Michael B Jordan, who by the way, this will be my first rant on him, only takes on really fucking great roles. He is a no bullshit actor. Do not come to his house with any of that whack ass material it better be top fucking notch or you can kick rocks and I love it. He never does not do the hardest hitting shit. Very underrated actor. He is sensational in this movie. If you can get past the fact of how young he looks, while taking on supreme courts but literally just some dumb thing I was struggling with. He was just young when he made the movie.
This movie is highly emotional. It dives deep into how deeply problematic and racist our legal system WAS and STILL IS today. How desperate the legal system and police force are to put people away, regardless of facts. HOW itchy everyone in the legal system is to make sure that person was and still is of color. It just is easier that way. I did not know this was based on a true story till AFTER the movie ended. I kind of figured towards the end but still, a truly incredible story of hope, and never giving up and in the end justice. A deeply moving, thought provoking, spectacular acted film that will leave you either crying or deeply moved. Which is right in my wheelhouse. That is a review.