Criminal justice reform is a hot political topic these days and this movie lands squarely in the middle of the discussion. It’s based on a true story about a young black lawyer (Michael B. Jordan), who travels to a small racist Alabama town to save a man who’s been falsely accused of murder (Jamie Foxx). While there are some moving moments, this film spends more time trying to generate outrage than to create effective drama. The performances are effective and the story is certainly important, but the relentless messaging and a solemn pace inhibit the film’s full potential.

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