People might think they've seen this movie before, but the passion and realism in it might make you think again. Just Mercy is based on Bryan Stevenson's 2014 book titled Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption about the author's experience moving to rural Alabama as a Harvard Law graduate in 1989 to offer free legal representation to men wrongfully convicted or unfairly sentenced to death row. Being an idealistic, young, black man, the new lawyer in town has to survive discrimination against him as well as his clients. Just Mercy feels like a neighbor between two other real-life, legal, racism dramas To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and Ghosts of Mississippi (1996).
This diligent and patient film forces American society (especially the parts of society in law enforcement and legal professions) to reconcile its racist past. Just Mercy also shows younger generations how racism is still startlingly present in parts of this country and how hard-skinned people work to combat it (even without social media, the internet, or popular opinion). Fun or happy are not the right words to describe this film. It's kind of like eating vegetables without any seasoning or salad dressing. It's not exactly tasty or dazzling, but it's good for you, and you'll feel better after consuming it. Another merit of Just Mercy is a heartbreaking performance from Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, 2012). It's so wonderful and refreshing to see him in a heavy dramatic role. Something he hasn't done in a long time.
Just Mercy doesn't feel like the most popular film out there right now (maybe because another successful legal drama named Marshall, from 2017, feels too similar), but it's easily one of the most educational.
