Real Justice Matters

in Just Mercy

by Kathia Woods

Just Mercy tells the story of attorney activist Bryan Stevenson. It specifically details his work with wrongly incarcerated inmates on death row. This film, like the book, focuses on his relationship with Walter McMillian. Walter was falsely accused of murder. Bryan makes him the first client of his new law practice having just graduated from Harvard Law.

Michael B. Jordan's newly-minted production company Outlier decided to turn this book into a film

Jordan's high of his success in Black Panther and the Creed Movies also wanted to show that he was capable of more. He wanted to portray a role that required him as he would say not to focus on his looks but challenge him as an actor. He tapped academy award-winning actor Jamie Foxx to play McMillian and enlisted Destin Daniel Cretton to direct. Cretton called upon longtime collaborator Brie Larson to join the project. She had one question, "Does Michael want me there?"

Larson wanted to lend her talents but not take away from the topic at hand.

Rounding out the cast were Rob Morgan, O'Shea Jackson Jr, and Tim Blake Nelson.

I am going, to be honest, it can be exhausting as a black person to watch these stories knowing that the outcome is never in our favor. Unlike many, I was familiar with Bryan's work. I knew that it was going to cause me anxiety and pain; however, I pushed through. As uncomfortable as these things are, I also understand it's important for others to see what the outcome of their silence can cause. How their inability to know that the justice system does not give people of color the benefit of the doubt. This film is a memorandum on America. As we speak, men and women of color are sitting in jail for something; they didn't do cause their black and poor.

Just Mercy addresses how a community of white people in power demands justice, regardless if the correct suspect is apprehended. You see, there is no physical evidence, no DNA; it's the word of a white man vs. the community of black people.

Jamie Foxx, as Walter McMillian, gives a riveting performance. In my opinion, it's his best performance since Ray. We feel all of Walter's emotions. He no longer allows himself to hope. He's simply surviving. Michael B. Jordan also accomplishes his goal. We are forced to pay attention to the actor. He doesn't have an athlete's physique to hide behind or prosthesis. This is Jordan, the actor. We feel his disgust as he experiences firsthand the bigotry of Alabama, and we weep as he watches someone sentenced to death. Rob Morgan, as Herbert Richardson, is an experience. Rob is having an outstanding year from Last Black Man in San Francisco to It’s Bruno. He deserves to be in the conversation come awards season. O'Shea Jackson Jr is keeping true to his word. He's expanding on his father's legacy. Tim Blake Nelson, as Ralph Myers, demonstrates how society pivots poor white people against poor black people. Both parties are struggling, but one party is sold the lie that their struggle is less due to their skin being white. It's the same argument America used after reconciliation and still uses today. Brie Larson, who has publicly spoken out about inequality and assisted more people of color in getting access to festivals, accomplished her goals as Eva Ansley. She helped Mike in telling this remarkable story. Just Mercy is a reminder we still have to correct wrongs of the past.