DEAD MAN WALKING
A film review by Rui Sadio
Translated from the Portuguese by Rui Sadio
Copyright 1996 Rui Sadio
Rating (0 to 10): 9.1
Since I remember, I can't find any movie so capable to obligue an audience to reflect about a certain subject, in such a powerful way as "Dead Man Walking" makes us to reflect about the death penalty question. First of all, I have to say that this movie is, in my opinion, the best movie of 1995 and certainly one of those which I won't forget easily.
"Dead Man Walking" is based on the book with the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, a nun who has worked with condemneds to death for a long time. Directed by Tim Robbins, one of my favourite actors, this film has also the brilliant and unforgetable performances of Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon.
Sean Penn is Matthew Poncelet, a condemned to death who receives spiritual help of Sister Helen Prejean, a role interpreted by Susan Sarandon, in his last days of life. Both artists are sensational in their performances and that happens because they don't act separately. I mean, the Sean Penn's interpretation "lives" from the Susan Sarandon's interpretation and vice versa. Is something like Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs". However, now the dialogues between the two principal characters are even more dramatic and emotional than those in the Jonathan Demme's film. That's why I think Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn should win the oscars of the Academy, this year. The most significant part of the movie's power is due to their work.
"Dead Man Walking" is too far of being an anti-deathpenalty movie. On the contrary, "Dead Man Walking" follows a guide-line which divides the two opposite opinions, becoming the frontier between those convictions. There are times when we think that death penalty is a fair way to punish a person who has already destroyed the life of so many people. However, there are times when we start believing that a death can't pay another death. After all, if no one has the right to kill then we shouldn't apply the death penalty, or else we should be punished too.
Tim Robbins is the responsible for this revolution inside our minds. He manipulates us as he wants and he never discloses what is his position. He makes us be sorry for the condemned but he makes us hate the condemned! All the directing work is superb, including the beginning of the film, showing that Tim Robbins is more than an excellent actor. In fact, he is also an excellent director.
At last, a reference to the mysterious music that emphasizes the dark side of the film. Songs which are intimately connected with the characters and the movie environment. We can listen to Bruce Sprinsteen, Johnny Cash, Suzanne Vega, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Eddie Vedder and many others. After seeing the movie is very important to listen to the soundtrack.
"Dead Man Walking" is one of those movies that everybody should see and reflect about. The death penalty question deserves that reflection. About my position, I just say I'm happy for living in Portugal, one of the first countries to abolish that kind of punishment.
-R.S.-
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