Review:Dead
Man Walking tackles the capital punishment debate by presenting
both sides fairly and openly, allowing the viewers to ultimately decide
for themselves. The film is based on the real life experiences of
Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) and her relationship with a
death row inmate, Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn- Carlito's
Way, The Indian Runner (dir.),
Falcon and the Snowman, Hurlyburly), easily proving
that he is one of America's most underrated actors and the best of
his era. Penn portrays Poncelet in a completely convincing fashion,
forcing the audience to waver between sympathy and hatred. Penn's
willingness to play unlikeable characters is truly a gift. How many
other actors could have pulled off the realism that he does here?
As the execution date grows nearer, the film's tension builds until
the excruciating climax where Poncelet's death by lethal injection
is shown in such detail that it makes the viewer feel like he is in
the room. -Review by Aaron Caldwell
