The legal drama Just Mercy, starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, airs on BBC1 tonight at 11:20pm. Based on the memoir of Bryan Stevenson, the film tells the story of a lawyer representing prisoners on death row in the American South during the 1990s.
Released in 2019 and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film centres on the case of Walter McMillian, a man wrongfully convicted of murdering a young woman in 1986. McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx, has maintained his innocence, and when his case is re-examined, Stevenson begins to believe he may be innocent.
A case marked by racial injustice
Between 1990 and 1993, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals rejected four appeals for this case alone. McMillian's original trial fell under a now abolished doctrine that allowed the judge to override the jury's sentence of life imprisonment and impose the death penalty instead.
Throughout the film, racism is woven into the real-life story, highlighting the stereotyping and racial profiling of numerous wrongfully convicted Black men in the South. As Stevenson progresses with the case, he faces setbacks and obstacles that prevent him from winning and sparing the inmate's life.
Critical acclaim and audience praise
One fan wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: "Inspiring, moving, incredible. There are not enough words to describe how amazing this movie was. This movie should be shown in classrooms across America." Another said: "I thought this movie was an absolute work of art. It is easily in my top ten movies, I would say. It deals with a topic that you wouldn't expect to see in a movie, but it works surprisingly well, especially when you think about the fact that it's a true story."
Upon its release, Just Mercy grossed a worldwide total of $50.4 million and garnered considerable critical acclaim. Viewers have praised the lead actors' portrayals, with one saying: "Outstanding acting, real tear jerker at times, but a beautiful happy ending, great film." Another claimed that actors need to "take notes from these two", suggesting it may be Foxx's "best" film of all, as it "brought tears to my eyes".
Just Mercy airs on BBC1 tonight at 11:20pm, and is also available to stream on Amazon Prime.
