Dead Man Walking

A nun, while comforting a convicted killer on death row, empathizes with both the killer and his victim's families.

Capital punishment is a touchy subject and it's not often you'll see something that stays objective on the matter. Dead Man Walking is no exception to this, though it does offer more in the way of both sides of the debate than is the norm, encouraging at least some contemplation from each camp through the course of the film.

Mainstream cinema is fairly uniform and vociferous in its support for clemency in these instances, often focusing on cases where the condemned are found to be innocent once the deed has been done to drive their point home. This film is different in that the guilt of Sean Penn's Matthew is never in question. He doesn't protest his complete innocence, though does maintain that he was only present rather than participating in the actual act of killing. This lends itself to an increased emphasis on the discussion over the impending execution itself, regardless of whether the crime was committed or not.

As is to be expected considering the themes at work, the film is heavy on the drama. The bulk of its power is reserved for the last half an hour or so, the scheduled time of the execution drawing ever nearer. Penn's portrayal of the convict's progression from obnoxious defiance to genuine hopeless fear is pretty captivating and he seems to live and breathe the character in every scene. Though it's difficult to identify with him due to the abhorrent nature of the actions for which he finds himself imprisoned, he does inspire pity for both his predicament and that of his family. The movie makes it clear which side it comes down on, but by the same token doesn't shy away from the effect that the violence has had on the families of the victims.

In addition to the death row inmate, there's a lot made of the decisions and challenges faced by Sarandon's Sister Helen, a nun who is drawn into the situation after receiving a letter from Matthew. Caught between her revulsion at the crimes perpetrated and her beliefs, she is often left with an unenviable task. The religious aspect of the film could easily have been an issue if overplayed, as ultimately it's not what the movie is really about. However, it's played in such a way as to be a definite presence, but not so much that it distracts the attention from the point that is intended to be made. This is one of the film's great successes and also broadens the appeal to some extent.

As dramas go, you know what you're going to get from this kind of film. It can be considered somewhat of a genre flick in that it won't deliver any great surprises, but the final few scenes elevate the picture above many others of its type and leave a lasting impression.

The Verdict:

7/10
An excellent performance from Penn and a very strong final third make for a great drama that offers food for thought on a divisive subject.