Review of Dead Man Walking (1995) by Kate . — 31 Mar 2008

Based on truth, 'Dead Man Walking' is a controversial look at a man on death-row and an empathetic nun trying to redeem him. Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn excel in their roles and make this film utterly compelling.

Sarandon brings an easy likeability to her character, she embodies trust, innocence and fairness. Penn is the very opposite of this, appearing callous and dismissive. He is a difficult character to relate with because of his horrific crimes of rape and murder, as an audience we are compelled to feel hate and disgust towards him, but towards the end of the film, his confessions and humanity niggle at the moral conscience, and ultimately leave you with a terrible conflict of emotion - which I believe is one of the films strongest points.

Although there is much focus on religious belief, Robbins directs it so well that it never feels preachy or suffocating. One other thing I feel I HAVE to mention is Robbins execution of the actual execution scene in the film.

It's slow pace is agonising to watch, through his use of graphic flashbacks to the scene of the crime, the close ups of the poison machine, and the fascinatingly haunting score, it almost feels like we're experiencing the lethal dosage.

'Dead Man Walking' is not a rebellious political/religious debate on the death penalty, it's a compelling insight in to a deeply shocking event that will leave you distracted at the very least.