Review of A Time to Kill (1996) by Shelly — 24 Mar 2009

It's amazing the film is as engaging as it is seeing as it comes from Schmucher. Still, for me it fails from both a narrative and cinematic perspective. Grisham has still come up with an entertaining story, but I find serious fault with the message.

For one thing, I don't entirely identify with the racial hatred even though I recognize its existence. The message that what Jackson's character did is okay in our society is a pretty dangerous one though.

To say that one can essentially do whatever one wants and simply fall back on the temporary insanity plea is ridiculous. I am of the opinion that it flys in the face of everything our society is built upon.

I sympathize with Jackson's character and would probably do the same thing myself, but it still doesn't excuse his acquittal in our legal system.