Warner Bros. Pictures
Most recent Warner Bros. releases failed to have a successful box office run. I missed films like Richard Jewell and Just Mercy in theaters and so did many other people. Warner Bros. sent me the Blu-ray copy of Just Mercy and I was excited to check out the film that has an all-star cast of Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson. Just Mercy is based on a true story and centers around young Harvard law graduate Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) as he takes on Walter ‘Johnny D.’ McMillian’s (Foxx) case as he was arrested for murder of a young woman. Stevenson is aided by his colleague Eva Ansley (Larson) and tries to help Johnny D. as he has continuously pleaded not guilty for the murder.
Review
Just Mercy is filled with emotional performances from everyone involved. After watching this film, I was surprised that Jamie Foxx wasn’t nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards. The film’s excellent pacing allowed for me to feel the weight of the story and how important the case was. The story not only focuses on Stevenson defending McMillian but also shows his other legal cases as well. The first and second act of the film did a fine job presenting the story and providing a sense of urgency surrounding the case. As the film moved towards its third act, the emotional scenes came out and offered a tense look at people who are wrongly accused of a crime they did not commit and how it affects their life.
Michael B. Jordan always impresses me with his roles. He can star in a comedy, superhero film, and dramas and be easily convincing. His role as Bryan Stevenson is one of his best yet. He handles all the attributes of a young graduate and taking on a case as big as McMillian’s. As the film moves along, he becomes more confident in himself, which led to a powerful performance at the end of the film.
Video
There isn’t anything flashy about Just Mercy, but the locations in the film, such as the courtrooms, are presented beautifully on Blu-ray. The film is shot with impressive framing and the Blu-Ray presents it with well-lit scenes. At times the film feels a little too bright given the fact that the story has more of a darker tone. Warner Bros. always puts in a lot of effort to provide the best quality for their releases and a lot of the smaller details in the film are showcased well.
Audio
For a film with plenty of dialogue, the audio is surprisingly good. The courtroom sequences offer plenty of chatter that fill the scene. The conversations between the characters in the courtroom and prison facilities were well rendered and heard clearly. Much like the video quality, there isn’t anything flashy about the audio but it is one of the best parts of the release.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Special Features
- Making Mercy (4:06) – This feature feels like a promo reel for the film that features key members of the cast and crew.
- The Equal Justice Initiative (8:10) – This short feature looks at the real-life Bryan Stevenson and his non-profit organization.
- The Moment Deserves (6:07) – The feature compares the film with the actual Walter McMillian case.
- Deleted Scenes (14:31)
Overview
Just Mercy was a film I wanted to check out for some time, and it was worth the wait! The acting and emotional story were some of the best in releases from last year. The Blu-Ray release featured a lot of special features surrounding the actual case. I also dug the Blu-ray case for the film and how it focused on the three main characters with Michael B. Jordan front and center. Just Mercy is a film I would recommend checking out while staying at home!
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment generously provided Hotchka with the Blu-ray for reviewing purposes.
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