A Time to Kill (1996)

Wonderful Movie

Simply A Masterpiece

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

When a ten-year-old African American girl is beaten and raped by two white men in Mississippi her father, Carl Lee (Samuel Jackson), decides to take matters in his own hands. There's no doubt he killed the attackers but now he is facing murder charges and there is little hope he can get a fair trial in Mississippi.This movie is soooo difficult to watch. That's why it's been 20+ years since my last viewing. It is such a jarring film it evokes too many negative emotions yet it still brings about a sense of hope.The all-star cast was superb. It's funny because I completely forgot about who all was in it: the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Ashley Judd, and Sandra Bullock--even Octavia Spencer had a small role.This type of movie is a difficult one to tackle due to its sensitive nature yet I think Grisham and Joel Schumacher did an excellent job. It is riveting, it is upsetting but it is by no means far-fetched. Grisham could easily have taken this entire trial right out of a Mississippi history book and not have changed a thing. This was a bold movie that should have been made and I'm pleased that it was.

This film is full of main screen actors, and features some very powerful roles based from the book. Samuel L Jackson is superb along with a very strong performance from Mathew McConaughey. The film keeps you guessing and is a definite must for anyone looking for a great thriller. One of my all time favourites.

(Originally reviewed: 10/01/2017) Matthew Mcconaughey is absolutely brilliant in this well-crafted courtroom thriller. The picture starts off with a touchy subject involving the rape of a young girl, the makers handle this with care and precision, the girl's father played by no other than Samuel L. Jackson (yeah you messed with the wrong guy's daughter) is so angry; he guns down these two men as payback for what they did to his daughter, hence the picture moves on to his trial which any civilized person is aware cannot be won, as capital murder of two people is hardly going to result in a release; however the director (Joel Schumacher) was simply trying to put together a well-made thriller, and on that note he succeeds. Let's get into the performances, the delightful Sandra Bullock is really good as Mcconaughey's informant and Samuel. L Jackson is tense and on point like he is most of the time. The entire cast are honestly impressive, not a lazy performance in sight. Kiefer Sutherland plays the brother of one of the rapists that was killed and he as expected seeks vengeance for what has happened, he also happens to be a racist redneck, and despite appearing in KKK scenes that they could have done without, he was always good. Ashley Judd (Mcconaughey's wife), Chris Cooper (a local cop) and everyone else are adequate and effective in the picture.Although I have a few problems with it, such as several scenes involving the KKK which are ridiculous and distract us from the thrilling courtroom drama and the main storyline; I also feel they could have chopped the length of the picture down a bit and as mentioned I found the story's outcome a little bit too implausible for my liking, but all in all, Schumacher's A Time to Kill is a good 90's thriller with some solid, intense courtroom drama.

A Time to Kill (1996): Dir: Joel Schumacher / Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Spacey: Corrupt drama eager to manipulate to please the crowd. Instead of concentrating on racial issues, it tries to make a case for one's sanity. It is an over hyped mess pitting revenge against justice where the audience is unfairly placed as the jury. A young black girl is raped and urinated upon by two white males. Her father shoots them both dead at the courthouse and is placed on trial. When a white lawyer chooses to represent him the Ku Klux Klan become riled. Directed by Joel Schumacher who dealt with similar themes in The Client. Samuel L. Jackson plays a father with redeeming regret. Matthew McConaughey is very good as his lawyer who faces the wrath of the Klan. Unfortunately the supporting roles are chalk full of dumb stereotypes including Kiefer Sutherland playing the redneck Klan leader. Why these concealed villains are portrayed as ragged seems like a forced portrayal as oppose to fact. Sandra Bullock is an unnecessary romantic prop whose purpose is to bandage up McConaughey and glance at his ass because he just happens to be wearing no underwear. Kevin Spacey plays a quick witted opposing lawyer who is suppose to fail because of the twisted message. Standard courtroom drama giving viewers time to kill. Score: 5 / 10