There's an announcement at the start of this tv-movie, but it bears repeating here: every word of dialogue in this movie was taken from interviews, police and court records. Which means that not only are the six stories true, but they're told in as close to a documentary style as possible. In an added truthful layer, the end of the movie shows a small interview with each of the real people. The screenplay, comprised entirely of facts, hit home the message that in the end, the truth will set you free.
In case you haven't figured it out by the synopsis, this is a very upsetting movie. Even though the synopsis tells you that all six people in the story eventually become exonerated, the stories of their arrests, court trials, and time in prison, are heartbreaking. Brian Dennehy's character was wrongfully imprisoned for murdering his parents. Aidan Quinn's character was permanently brutalized while in jail. David Brown Jr.'s character was convicted even though the description of the man who really committed the murder was a white man with long red hair. Delroy Lindo's character also didn't match the description of the real criminal, but he was convicted by an all-white Southern jury despite having an alibi. Susan Sarandon's character was accused of killing a police officer, even though her only crime was incredibly bad judgment. Danny Glover's character was a teenager at the time of the crime he didn't commit, and from police bullying he gave a false confession.
Director Bob Balaban chose a distinctive style for his movie, one that purposely focuses on words rather than theatrics. There are no sets, but instead every actor sits in a little chair and talks to the camera as if they're in an interview. Sometimes ancillary characters like policemen or judges are brought into the little black room, but they perform their "lines" in the same style.
Again, in case you couldn't tell from the synopsis, this movie takes a very strong stance against the death penalty. If you already agree with that message, you'll really take this movie to heart and use it as an argument the next time you clash with someone of the opposing view. If you do believe in the death penalty, it's not a guarantee that this movie will change your mind, but it'll try its very best. I watched this in a group of people with varied opinions, and those who started off believing in capital punishment still did at the end of the movie - but they were not unmoved by the stories and the real people behind them. This is a very emotional movie with some fantastic acting. It's not really possible to enjoy it, but it'll tug on your heart and really make you think. Law and order were established with the very best of intentions, but there have been some absolutely horrifying mistakes and deliberate cruelties done throughout the years. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex in the house before you press 'play'.
