If I have extra time at work, I listen to TED talks. One TED talk I recently watched was by lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who talks about racial injustice within our legal system. Bryan Stevenson is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to those arrested illegally and those who are innocent of the crimes they have supposedly committed. The Equal Justice Initiative fights back against the use of capital punishment in certain states. He wrote a book about this injustice titled Just Mercy, which the movie was based on. I watched Just Mercy, and it left me feeling broken and infuriated.

Just Mercy follows Bryan (played by Michael B. Jordan) as he is beginning to establish the Equal Justice Initiative. While reviewing cases in Alabama, he’s introduced to Walter “Johnny D” McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx), who’s in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Walter has lost hope in his case due to several lawyers offering their assistance and then declining the case. It’s not until Bryan meets with Johnny’s family does Johnny realizes his intentions are pure. Bryan faces several roadblocks in the case, such as being physically intimidated by the police, the blatant refusal by the judge of a retrial, even though the evidence is shady, and the reluctant town, which is convinced Johnny is guilty. Bryan barrels through the obstacles, and ultimately, Johnny is released from prison.

The cast of this movie did a great job at replicating Bryan’s story. Michael B. Jordan has quickly become one of my favorite actors on screen. I wasn’t expecting to see Brie Larson in this. She plays Bryan’s partner. Jamie Foxx, of course, does a great job. The best performance in this film comes from Rob Morgan, who plays another death row inmate, Herbert Richardson. While Bryan does everything in his power to rescue him, Richardson is executed. Morgan’s emotional performance as he awaited being escorted to the electric chair was powerful. Where was his Oscar Nomination??

As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, this movie infuriated me. After watching the film, I read more about Johnny D’s story, Richardson’s story, and another inmate featured in the film. The movie is accurate based on these real events. Our justice system is broken, and Bryan is one of the passionate fighters who is fighting a just cause. Racism is responsible for putting Black men in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. As a reminder, this story took place in Alabama in the 80s. This only occurred 30 years ago. I’m against the death penalty, and this movie reminded me of why I hold this stance.

Just Mercy was a heartwrenching story. It’s a film that’s uncomfortable to watch, although that’s part of the importance of the film. I have added Just Mercy to my TBR on Goodreads.