Movie Review: A Time To Kill

551 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Comparison between a film and a book

Movie Review: A Time To Kill

I never read A Time To Kill by John Grisham because the book bored me. But I wonder why it did bore me because the movie was engrossing and entertaining.
Maybe it is because Akiva Goldsman took out most of the boring parts. I usually love Grisham, but this book was just too slow. However, another thing that made the movie more entertaining is the actors.

The movie begins with the rape scene that you have probably heard about. If you haven't, it's a quick-edited scene so it doesn't show much, but still makes your stomach churn. Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) describes it graphically in his summation. Anyway, what makes the scene so shocking is that it is a 10 year old girl being raped. The two men are captured and while ascending a staircase for their preliminary trial, the girl's father, Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L.
Jackson), runs out of a closet with a gun and shoots the two men and a cop. The two men die and the cop has his leg amputated.

This sets off the main plot of the story. Hailey gets Brigance to defend him for virtually nothing. During a courtroom scene, Eileen Roarke (Sandra Bullock, in a surprisingly small role for having top billing) helps Brigance to get the trial moved to another town. Unfortunately, the judge (Patrick McGoohan) decides against moving the trial. Brigance needs to get a jury of young, married men with children. What does he get? A jury of women and old men. So Brigance has his work cut out for him, especially when he is up against the cruel and cheating Rufus Buckley (Kevin Spacey).

The film moves along quickly, which I wasn't expecting. The movie is 145 minutes long, but it seems shorter than this. The book is over 500 pages, so Goldsman had his work cut out for him. But he did a great job and made the movie more entertaining than the book. As I said, the actors must have had something to do with it as well. Matthew McConaughey is superb as Brigance. This is his first movie and it will probably make him famous. His summation is one of the best parts of the movie. He says it with great emotion that, not only can the jury relate with, but so can the audience.

Samuel L. Jackson is always good and there is one particular scene where he gives a small talk to Brigance. It is powerful, even if it is short. That's how good Jackson is.

Show More
Related

  • Blood Justice

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    On Friday April 24th J.P. Walker, Preacher Lee, Crip Reyer and L.C. Davis got into Reyer’s Oldsmobile and they took off on a mission to kill Mark Charles Parker. (3 other cars of men followed) They went to the courthouse/jail in Poplarville and they could not get in. So they went to Jewel Alford’s House (The jail keeper) to get the keys to the Jail. Alford went with the four men to the courthouse. When he got there he went in and down the hall to Sheriff Moody’s office and got the keys to the jail. He opened the door to the jail and Lee, Reyer, Davis, Walker followed Alford into the jail. Alford then opened Parkers cell and Lee and Davis pulled Parker out of the jail and courthouse to the Reyer's Oldsmobile. Alford then left and the men got into the car.

    Read More

  • My Review on Full Metal Jacket

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    My Review of Full Metal Jacket In Stanley Kubrick’s film Full Metal Jacket, the emphasis is spotlighted on the carnage of boot camp and the soldier’s life in Vietnam. The life of a soldier is not an easy one, as it requires great diligence and much sacrifice to ensure the safety and freedom to all those who are afraid and those who seek it. Stanley Kubrick makes sure that we see the harshness and ugliness of the Vietnam War as it was made to be seen. The movie starts with the life of boot camp, getting marines ready to be sent and fight over in Vietnam. The relationship between Private Joker and Private Pyle appears when the Drill Sergeant Hartman makes Private Joker the squad leader. Private Joker, is to make certain that Gomer Pyle cleans his act up and bring an end to the burdens that Pyle has put on the whole squad. Although Private Joker is trying his best to clean up the Private Pyle’s mess, he has met his match, and ultimately sees Pyle as a problem. During the scene where everyone in the squad prepares to beat Pyle with bars of soap wrapped in towels it shows that Private Joker is somewhat hesitant at first, but eventually hits Private Pyle multiple times with heavy blows. Analyzing the relationship between the two privates can be said that Private Joker was trying to help Private Pyle as much as he could, until Private Pyle suddenly breaks and it is made clear when Private Pyle is talking to himself while he is cleaning his rifle. Yes boot camp can be living hell for those who are psychologically unfit and not able to cope during times of great stress, and this can often make certain people “snap”. Stanley Kubrick does a fine job focusing on the stresses of boot camp, especially as this is a time of war and thousands of ...

    Read More

  • Steven Spielberg Biography

    2588 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...ed against the moon, his films have sketched images in our minds we are unable to forget. His influence upon mainstream Hollywood directing is more than evident. Whether it be making us reflect on past tragedies or teaching us that differences should be celebrated aside from being just recognized, his methods of storytelling have established him as more than just a wonderful film director, but as a great humanitarian.

    Read More

  • The Story Of Unbroken By Laura Hillenbrand

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, this captivating tale taught many life lessons, including the freedom of forgiveness, and the importance of dignity on survival. Hillenbrand captured the reader’s emotions through the use of morals and themes. The book itself, although initially difficult to spark an interest in, is truly remarkable both in the words written by Hillenbrand, and by the story provided by Zamperini. It is, on one hand, informative enough to teach readers about World War 2, and on the other hand, interesting enough to capture the attention of even those that don’t enjoy reading. This capturing, inspiring, and unforgettable tale reminds us that perseverance can lead us through anything, and help us to remain “unbroken”.

    Read More

  • John Williams: An Inspiration

    1271 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...lassical composers, I applaud this man for his creativity, style, but most of all for the great contribution he has made to the music and film world.

    Read More

  • David Copperfield

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    and asks one of his servants, "if you marry a person, and the person dies, why

    Read More

  • The Negative Aspects Of Helicopter Parenting

    1777 Words  | 4 Pages

    Intrusive parenting is a new scenario that has just recently caught the attention of the public eye. Barbara Howard, author of “Landing Helicopter Parents,” refers to these specific types of parents as “helicopter parents” because they are in constant fear that something bad might happen to their child and are willing to do anything to raise a successful young adult (8). It’s because of this fear, that they tend to “hover” close to their child (8). Other terms

    Read More

  • The Forensic Science: The History Of DNA In Forensic Science

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    DNA in forensic science has been around for a long time. DNA has had help in solving almost every crime committed. There have been a lot of crimes where people are raped or murdered and the person who did it runs free. Scientists can collect the littlest item they see at the scene, such as a cigarette butt or coffee cup and check it for DNA. People have spent years in jail for a crime they didn’t commit till DNA testing came into effect. People are getting out of jail after 20 years for a crime they didn’t commit, cause of the DNA testing. DNA has helped medical researchers develop vaccines for disease causing microbe. DNA has become a standard tool of forensics in many murders and rapes.

    Read More

  • DNA Testing in Crime Scenes

    572 Words  | 2 Pages

    DNA, or deoxyribonucleic exists in all living organisms, is self-replicating and gives a person their unique characteristics. No two people have the same matching DNA. There are many different forms of DNA that are tested for situations such as criminal. Bodily fluids, hair follicles and bone tissues are some of the most common types of DNA that is tested in crime labs today. Although the discovery of DNA dates back to 1866 when Gregor Mendel proved the inheritance of factors in pea plants, DNA testing is relatively new and have been the prime factor when solving crimes in general. In 1966, scientists discovered a genetic code that made it possible to predict characteristics by studying DNA. This lead to genetic engineering and genetic counseling. In 1980, Organ was the first to have a conviction based off DNA fingerprinting and DNA testing in forensics cases became famous in 1995 during the O.J. Simpson trial (SMC History , 2011).

    Read More

  • Behind the Scenes of Spielberg

    1269 Words  | 3 Pages

    From a young age, Steven Spielberg knew he wanted to be a director, but had no idea he would have so much influence in filmmaking. Even though he has only received two Academy Awards, he doesn’t need awards to show how successful he is with his films. Media today would not be the same without Spielberg’s influence because he has helped media develop into something extraordinary. With his contributions to the film industry, all of his dedication put into his films, and all of the glory he has received, shows why Steven Spielberg is one of the most influential Americans of all time.

    Read More

  • Film Analysis of Dead Man Walking

    2083 Words  | 5 Pages

    make us see exactly what he wants us to and this film is a very good

    Read More

  • Essay On DNA

    1193 Words  | 3 Pages

    No matter what the case, forensic science has monumentally changed criminal investigation. From computer technology to fingerprint analysis, forensic science has played a key role in thousands of cases. The partnership between the law and forensic sciences has changed the justice system like no other investigative tool: the intelligence provided by this technology is instrumental for both exonerations and convictions alike.

    Read More

  • Unbroken Essay Papers

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    Award-Winning author Laura Hillenbrand writes of the invigorating survival story of Louie Zamperini in her best selling book, Unbroken. Louie Zamperini was an ambitious, record-breaking Olympic runner when he was drafted into the American army as an airman during World War II. On the mission that led him to embark on a journey of dire straits, Louie’s plain crashed into the Pacific Ocean, leaving only him and two other crewmen as survivors. Stranded on a raft in shark infested waters, without any resources or food, and drifting toward enemy Japanese territory, the men now have to face their ultimate capture by Japanese, if they survive that long. Louie responded to his desperation with dexterity, undergoing his plight with optimism and confidence, rather than losing hope. In this memorable novel, Hillenbrand uses a vivid narrative voice to divulge Louie’s tale of endurance, and proves that the resilience of the human mind can triumph through adversity.

    Read More

  • Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World

    395 Words  | 1 Pages

    The book and the movie were both very good. The book took time to explain things like setting, people’s emotions, people’s traits, and important background information. There was no time for these explanations the movie. The book, however, had parts in the beginning where some readers could become flustered.

    Read More

  • Essay On Helicopter Parenting

    763 Words  | 2 Pages

    Do you ever think that your parents are all around you and getting a lot involved in your life? Do your parents help you in every single problem? If this is all true, then you are going through helicopter parenting. Helicopter parents are the parents who monitor every aspect of their child’s life. The term roots back its origins in the book “Between Parent and Teenager” by Haim G. Ginott. It was published in the year 1969. It was found in this quote saying “Mother hovers over me like a helicopter and I am fed up with her noise and hot air. I am entitled to sneeze without explanation.” The term became part of the vernacular after formal school principal Jim Fay and psychiatrist Foster W. Cline deployed it in their 1990 book “Parenting with Love and Logic” (Real Simple, 2014).

    Read More

More about Movie Review: A Time To Kill

Open Document