Reviewers Score:
Average Overall Score:
Story lineA time to kill is a powerhouse of a movie, set in a small town in Mississippi. A young girl is raped, beaten and left for dead in a racist attack and there is no doubt as to the offenders, yet in a town where the Ku Klux Klan still has a small following and the victim being black, justice seems unlikely.
When Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) takes the law into his own hands he is left in need of a lawyer, only one steps up. Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) puts himself in the firing line and takes on the case, an inexperienced lawyer with a strong belief in the justice system. However, he is little prepared for the hatred that will follow him, his family and his friends all the way through the trial.
The case becomes an obsession for Brigance, his law practice which was already in financial trouble, now has no income whatsoever. Hailey has no money and the bank refuse him a loan, even one secured on his home. With burning crosses left on his lawn, friends and employees being beaten and threatened with death and vicious phone calls, Jake's determination to see justice done grows even stronger and he refuses to give in to the ever increasing violence.
A brilliant young law clerk (Sandra Bullock) wants to help with the case, as the trial preparation progresses and the two work ever more closely the chemistry grows between them and Jake finds himself torn between his love for his wife and growing feelings for the beautiful Roark.
Protests from the black community demanding Carl Lee be freed are met with a small but strong force of Ku Klux Klan members and more violence ensues culminating in one death and Brigance being stabbed.
Finally the case gets to court and a struggle to discredit witnesses, evidence and professional opinions threatens to take over the proceedings. On top of all the other problems facing Hailey and Brigance they also have to contend with a crooked Judge who is presiding.
 |
Score
Elliot Goldenthal does a great job of holding the suspense in this thriller, the rollercoaster of a journey through this emotional story is very well presented with a dramatic soundtrack.
Extras
Interactive Menus
Production Notes
Cast - Filmographies
Theatrical Trailers
 |
Conclusion
I found this film tense and gripping, sad and dramatic, possibly a little too long but it is a close call. There is a lot going on throughout the film, and several different sub plots to keep up with. However the John Grisham novel does adapt very well to film, and the cast do a fantastic job of portraying life in a highly charged, racist society. The film is violent from the outset and has strong language throughout, it is not out of context though and I do feel it needed to be this way to portray the story in a realistic fashion.
It is a very slick, polished production and as mentioned the acting is of the highest quality, mine is the single disc two sided edition, and my one major gripe is the severe lack of extras. Apart from the filmographies of the cast there is nothing else on the disc of note.
A superbly dramatic, highly charged rollercoaster of a movie, that would stand out in any movie collection.