Just Mercy (2019)

World-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson works to free a wrongly condemned death row prisoner.

Director:

Destin Daniel Cretton

Writers:

Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham

Stars:

Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson

10 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamie Foxx	...	Walter McMillian
Charlie Pye Jr.	...	Charlie the Tree Expert
Michael Harding	...	Sheriff Tate
Christopher Wolfe	...	Jim Wilkes
Michael B. Jordan	...	Bryan Stevenson
J. Alphonse Nicholson	...	Henry Davis
Adam Boyer	...	Prison Guard
Jacinte Blankenship	...	Christy Stevenson
Bryan G. Stevenson	...	Howard Stevenson, Jr.
Brad Sanders	...	Howard Stevenson, Sr.
Charmin Lee	...	Alice Stevenson
Brie Larson	...	Eva Ansley
Sebastian Eugene Hansen	...	Kris Ansley
John Lacy	...	Bill Freeman, Office Manager
Dominic Bogart	...	Doug Ansley

Storyline

A powerful and thought-provoking true-story, "Just Mercy" follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan might have had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Larson.) One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Foxx,) who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings and overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds-and the system-stacked against them.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | death row | death penalty | lawyer | execution | 

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Taglines:

Based on the true story of a modern hero.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic content including some racial epithets.

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original 60 Minutes: Woody Allen/Johnny D/Hard Choices (1992) show, seen reenacted here, was first broadcast on 22nd November 1992 with the header: Woody Allen/Johnny D/Hard Choices.

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Goofs

When inmate Herbert Richardson is put to death in the Alabama electric chair known as "Yellow Mama", his face is not covered with a mask.

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Quotes

Bryan Stevenson: [in the US Senate Hearing on the Death Penalty] Through this work, I've learned that each of us is more than the worst thing that we've ever done; that the opposite of poverty isn't wealth, the opposite of poverty is justice; that the character of our nation isn't reflected on how we treat the rich and the privileged, but how we treat the poor, the disfavored, and condemned.

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Connections

Referenced in CTV News at Noon Toronto: Episode dated 6 September 2019 (2019)

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Soundtracks

No More Auction Block
Arranged by Bernice Johnson Reagon (as Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon)
Performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock
Courtesy of SHE-ROCKS 5, Inc.

User Reviews

MOVING

This movie had me in tears and is so relevant now. The ending message is so important at a time like this. The acting was phenomenal. I have not read the book, so am unable to compare the two. Jamie Foxx's acting was incredible. Do not pay attention to the reviews which say no new storyline or nothing groundbreaking. The racism and flaws prevalent in our criminal justice system deserve to be highlighted and emphasized time and time again. The characters in this movie are REAL people and that makes it all the more heart wrenching and impactful.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

Just Mercy

Filming Locations:

Conyers, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$107,858, 29 December 2019

Gross USA:

$36,001,502

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$50,401,502

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Pictures, Endeavor Content, One Community

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1