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In movies, lawyers are often portrayed as slick and maybe a little bit shady—overpaid guys in expensive suits, who go to fancy parties and live in extravagant homes while their clients sit behind bars. But Just Mercy tells the story of one lawyer who’s devoted his career to helping those who haven’t gotten the legal representation that they deserve.
Just Mercy stars Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, a young graduate of Harvard Law School who moves to Alabama to found the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization focused on bringing justice to death row inmates. One of his first clients is Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), who was convicted of murdering a teenage girl in 1987. As he examines the case, Stevenson realizes that Walter was convicted—despite evidence proving his innocence—based on the testimony of a man who wasn’t exactly trustworthy. But he soon finds that, no matter how obvious the evidence may be, he’ll still face an uphill battle.
Sadly, Walter’s story isn’t necessarily new or surprising. In fact, there’s no shortage of films about men and woman who have been wrongfully arrested—or convicted—often because of their race or their income or some other bias. And, for that reason, we may have become desensitized to it. I can already hear people brushing it off as just another emotionally manipulative story about prejudiced villains and the flaws in our political justice system.
Yes, Just Mercy focuses on those for whom the system just didn’t work the way it’s supposed to work. Yes, it’s a lot like other films. But that doesn’t make it any less devastating. It’s a story that will challenge you, break your heart, and make you angry. The cast is noteworthy—especially Foxx, whose performance evokes all of the emotions: the anger, the fear, the frustration, and even the hopelessness. While Jordan doesn’t give a big, over-the-top performance, he’s a stabilizing presence. His character doesn’t shout or fight or throw things; he does the work and presents it in a calm, straightforward manner. He’s charming and persuasive—and he cares about his clients and their families. It may not make him especially entertaining, but it still makes him a character that you’ll respect—the kind that you’d want to have on your side.
You may have seen stories like this one before, but Just Mercy is still a powerful drama with a solid cast. It’s an emotional journey—and, in the end, you’ll be thankful that there’s a real-life Bryan Stevenson out there doing this important work, bringing hope to those who lost it long ago.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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