Just Mercy

The only downside I see, which I believe will annoy a certain part of the audience, is the very slow pace and the rather blatant references to racism throughout the two hours. The gathering of evidence and unraveling of the case is more or less really just a two hour conversation without any action, suspense or momentum and racism is the main theme of the entire film, so I guess no surprise there. But those who like these courtroom dramas can throw in that fourth star, like me, and get a pretty strong and emotionally decent experience enhanced by a likeable performance from Michael B. Jordan. The courtroom sub-genre certainly has better pieces and even I found this one lacking more verve, but even so, moderate satisfaction prevails. (31/01/2023)

Despite the stellar cast, Just Mercy is a very tedious borefest, where thrilling moments are hard to find. They gambled on the message and the deeply human story, but somehow blew everything else off, so despite a potentially compelling plot, the whole thing ends up being a made-for-TV drama about racist rednecks from the South. A lot of Hollywood movies have dealt with this theme, and most of them have been more interesting and entertaining than this predictable and simple piece, which is perhaps afraid to be something interesting and different, and tries tooth and nail to stick in the box of "inoffensive mediocrity." Which isn't damn good enough. (13/06/2020)

Awesome courtroom drama with excellent performances by Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx! Foxx is accused of murdering an 18 year old girl and is facing death by electric chair, but he claims innocence, the evidence is circumstantial and it looks more like a racist conviction. Jordan is a budding lawyer who will do anything to save his life. The film moves at a slower pace, but I enjoyed the gathering of evidence, and the final court confrontation has power, pressure and emotion, so for me, satisfaction. Fans of courtroom dramas should look it up. The lovely Brie Larson in a supporting role was also nice.8/10 (20/02/2020)

Just Mercy fulfils its purpose overall and defends with intensity its timeless ethical ideas. It’s very likely that after watching it you will be furious at the injustices suffered by Walter and perhaps you will feel admiration for the real human prototypes that inspired the story. That said, the film doesn’t stand out as a formal jigsaw puzzle full of important motifs and gives a very simplifying statement that explicitly refers to its famous predecessor of 1962, without ruining its message, but also without contributing any added value or storytelling originality. 65% (30/06/2020)