Just Mercy came out in select theaters at the end of 2019 and was somewhat overshadowed by the bigger, attention-grabbing films at the time. However, this legal drama based on incredible true events deserves to find an audience for its timely and powerful story.
The film stars Michael B. Jordan as a young Harvard lawyer who travels to Alabama to provide proper legal services to death row inmates who could not afford it. The movie is a compelling look at injustices that still exist today and the people who suffer from them. Though heartbreaking at times, it is also filled with stirring moments. Here are the most inspirational moments in Just Mercy.
First Trip To Death Row
The film opens with the introduction of Bryan Stevenson (Jordan), a young law student sent to deliver news to a death row inmate. When he tells the inmate he will not be executed this year, the man says it’s the best news he’s gotten in a long time because now his family can visit.
The two men share a friendly conversation and connect as equals until the inmate is violently and unnecessarily dragged away by guards. The moment sparks something in Bryan and he realizes who he needs to fight for.
Visiting Walter’s Family
While Bryan takes on many cases in Alabama, the main focus is that of convicted murderer Walter (Jamie Foxx), whose entire case is based on very flimsy witness testimonies and no physical evidence. Unfortunately, Walter has had many lawyers promise him many things and fail him, so he’s uninterested in going down that path again.
To convince Walter that he is here to help, Bryan visits Walter’s family in the poor African American community. There we see all Walter’s family, friends and neighbors are still standing by him all these years later despite being ignored by authorities.
Visualizing The Trees
Another central case that Bryan takes on is that of Herbert Richardson (Rob Morgan), a war veteran suffering from PTSD who is on death row for planting a bomb at his neighbor’s house and killing them.
Herbert is consumed with guilt but is also a very sick man in need of help. On the night before his execution, he begins having a panic attack. From the next cell, Walter calms him by helping him visualize trees in the forest. The method works and it becomes clear that this is Walter’s own method for escaping the prison walls.
Tribute To Herb
Despite his appeals, Bryan is unable to prevent Herbert’s execution. The scared but dignified man says goodbye to his friends and is led down to the waiting room. There he meets with Bryan one last time and prays.
In the cells above, his prisoner friends begin banging their cups and dishes on the cell bars. They create enough noise for Herbert to hear and remember that he is not alone in his final moments. It is a powerful moment of humanity in an unexpected place.
Myers Testimony
The corruption displayed in the film regarding Walter’s conviction is staggering and infuriating. The entire case rested on the testimony of career criminal Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson) who was coerced by law enforcement to make the false accusation or face the death penalty.
At a hearing for a new trial, Bryan brings Myers to the stand to question that testimony again. Though Myers is hesitant with the sheriff sitting in the room watching him, Bryan steps in between them and asks him point-blank if he lied. Myers finally does the right thing and admits his original testimony was false.
Feeling Like Himself
Shockingly, despite Myers refuting his previous testimony, the judge denies that this is grounds for a new trial and Walter is sent back to prison. Though Bryan is defeated by the continued injustice they face, Walter has a different outlook.
Though he is obviously pained to be back behind bars, he admits that hearing Myers admit he lied was the first time Walter felt like himself in a long time. The years of being told he was a murderer weighed on him and at that moment he was reminded he is not at fault.
Spreading The Truth
In a community that is still angry and grieving over the murder in question, Bryan realizes he will no find justice in Alabama and must look elsewhere. This leads him to bring Walter’s story to the new program 60 Minutes.
Seeing the outrageous and horrific injustices of this case broadcasted out for the world to see is a powerful moment. Not only does it provide some hope to the people fighting for Walter’s life, but it also means those fighting to keep him behind bars have to face their friends and family with the evil they are allowing.
Justice
Walter’s story is just one of many similar examples of injustice in America. As Bryan makes his final argument for a dismissal of all charges against Walter, he invokes that feeling. He maintains that this case is not just about one man being rightfully set free, but also an example that justice is something that is awarded to all people.
Following Bryan’s powerful speech, the District Attorney awkwardly tries to follow. He stumbles over his words, stalls and finally admits that he agrees with the motion to dismiss all charges.
Walter’s Walk To Freedom
Walter returns to his jail cell one last time following the dismissal of his charges. He gathers his belongings and walks out of the cell a free man. You can see by the look on his face that this is a moment he never thought would actually come.
As he walks out, the rest of the death row inmates reach out and shake his hand, happy to see him walking to his freedom. The moment is a nice mirror of Herbert’s goodbye, but this time they are cheering a man leaving in the right way.
The Fight Continues
As hinted at in his previous remarks and seen in the final scene, Bryan’s fight for justice did not end with Walter’s release from prison. The real Bryan Stevenson continues to fight for people on death row to this day.
The epilogue explains that Anthony Ray Hinton (played by O’Shea Jackson Jr. in the film) was another case Bryan took on and another conviction he had overturned. The footage of seeing real-life Hinton released from prison and reuniting with his family is a powerful moment.
