Captivating story with amazing performances. Questions ones views about the death penalty.

Gripping story and performances

Searing screed about the death penalty; taken from Sr Helen Pejean's fact-based and autobiographical docunovel; brilliant performances; very haunting and moving.

Are we capable of being redeemed or are we doomed to oblivion after death? As a nun attempts to assist a convict on death row to find forgiveness, while attempting to get his sentence commuted to life imprisonment, despite the family of the victims demanding execution. A deep and insightful look into the complexities of salvation and acceptance, this story makes us wonder what'll happen to our eternal soul?!

Good film. Brilliant acting by the two leads.

This was such a compelling movie with great acting. Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon were both outstanding. It's definitely worth the watch. 4.5 stars

It's an effective argument against the death penalty and one that does not entirely invalidate the opposing point of view. Penn and Sarandon give two truly powerful performances.

The world is reshaped by courageous people. Where would us be if not for them. Love empathy and reason is a wonderful occurrence, something that is truly hard to express with all darkness that grows and regrows. That love that keen patient empathy was put to motion by Susan S masterfully. Penn's performance was flawless and sincere. Cinematography is excellent such as the reflections on the glass door of death row cell. Unique background music that relates to the tone of the story. A well written story that puts viewers on contradiction and salvage them with the message of hope, commitment and courage.

Tim Robbins got a Best Director nomination for this film and then basically just said, "I'm done." Dead Man Walking wants to present a complex portrayal of capital punishment built around two main characters - convicted killer and rapist Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) and the plainclothes nun that responds to his letter (Susan Sarandon). Poncelet isn't supposed to be a civil liberties poster child - it's reaffirmed throughout the film that he absolutely had a direct hand in his brutal crime, received a trial that arrived at the correct verdict, and who has used some of his media coverage to promote white nationalist beliefs. But Sarandon (and by extension, the film) make the argument that despite his guilt, there is a fundamental flaw in how justice systems respond to capital crimes, and that every person is capable of redemption even in small ways. But personally, I don't think the film makes its argument well at all, people are just sad because Sean Penn dies and we knew him for like, two hours. The movie doesn't try to argue about humanist philosophy from a humanist perspective, but from a hardcore Christian "believe in Him and He'll save you" way. Penn does perhaps too good a job convincing you of how shitty of a person his character is, because between the Nazi speeches and the rape it's not exactly hard to be perfectly content with his death sentence. And for all the nuance the film tries to inject into the debate over the life of a contemptible man, for the film to end with Sarandon's Sister Helen reaching out her hand for an awkwardly long period feels like there wasn't much else for her to do. Benefits from a well-aged supporting cast, including early appearances from Margo Martindale, Jack Black, and a barely-seen Peter Sarsgaard. But Dead Man Walking is full of big performances that don't convince you about the message that the movie tries to make, so what's the point? Seems way less complex than people give it credit for. (2.5/5)

A murderer gets what he deserves and the audience is punished while he meanders on a lying treadmill. About a dozen people walked out of the cinema while watching this and I wish I was one of them.

I thought this was a very well made film - very much a thought provoking watch. Its quite slow paced but it shows things from a different angle, that of the nun trying to connect to the man convicted of multiple killings and who faces the death penalty, trying to get an idea of what might have happened and whether he can be redeemed before potentially being killed. I'd say redemption is one of the most obvious themes at play in this film. It questions the ethics of the death sentence but it isn't a documentary as such. Its based on a book, I believe. I could understand and empathise with the family of the victims who struggle with the nun attempting to (as they see it) side with the criminal. As the saying goes, things are rarely black and white. However, the film follows the nun spending time with the criminal and mulling things over, not actually scientifically or otherwise from a police point of view, going over evidence and re-enacting things to try and discover any potential suspects etc. It takes more of a philosophical angle on things and this may well not appeal to some but I found it quite a sobering, thoughtful watch. There is some poignant dialogue present. I felt both Susan Sarandon (who plays the nun, Sister Helen Prejean) and Sean Penn (who plays the convict, Matthew Poncelet) gave moving performances - its a quite memorable film partly due to their solid performances, making it an emotional watch. Overall I thought this was a well made film and I'd recommend it.

Long-winding drama while dead walking in a box with a predictable outcome...

I have a feeling considering the people involved, it was meant to turn the audience away from the death penalty. It made me feel like it should be done faster.

Makes some thoughtful points, with very good performances

Film denso di tristezza che però riesce a non ricercare mai la lacrima facile. La trama è ben studiata, specialmente nella costruzione dei due personaggi e nella scelta degli eventi, grazie a cui si è in grado di conoscere il lato umano di un uomo che ha commesso un orribile crimine; senza perbenismo. Ciò che più mi è piaciuto è il lato istruttivo del film, che fa conoscere e spinge a riflettere; mentre non sono riuscito a godermi del tutto le interpretazioni perchè spesso teatrali e con una grossa differenza qualitativa tra il duo di protagonisti ed il resto del cast.

Infuriating & liberal view of societies response to barbaric criminals. As a lifeling Catholic, they

Actor Tim Robbins directs behind the camera about asking if a man's life is worth saving when everyone else says no. Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn form the most unusual bond. Helen is a nun. A letter is written to her by the most unlikely of individuals. She's assigned to console a convicted white supremacist named Mathew. He's a neo-Nazi slated for execution in the Louisiana State Prison. Everyone sees he's beyond redemption. They would like nothing but to see him pay for his crimes of murder and sexual assault. She wants to see him repent, take responsibility, but the family in particular wants him to suffer whether religion plays into it or not. This will definitely have the viewer reflect on the topic looking at it from different angles. Regardless of political views or not executing a guilty man affects all. For some it'll bring peace of mind others it's an inescapable fate. There's also no judging too harshly any of the players because they each get their fate share of analyzing the subject. There is so much talking and no music. If not for the two lead performances this movie would be utter boredom.

It could be argued that Tim Robbins' Dead Man Walking leans towards being didactic, but it remains a powerful condemnation of capital punishment, a practice still in place in many areas of the United States. Susan Sarandon is phenomenal as Sister Helen Prejean, a nun who provides spiritual guidance to convicted murderer and rapist and death row inmate Matthew Poncelet, played with intensity and sensitivity by Sean Penn. While Robbins' screenplay provides fair arguments on both sides of the controversial issue, his stand on the issue is clear by the time the film is over. This is a dark and somber movie that will educate some and anger many, but is well worth the time invested.

A terrible movie. Clunky, leaden, wooden, tedious. I love Penn, Robbins and Sarandon, but this was obviously made by Robbins as a vehicle for his wife.. Predictable scenes, clichéd dialogue, characters straight for central casting. Penn's oratory from his "cross" at the end was the final corny, platitudinal turn-off. See Robbins and Penn in "Mystic River" and Sarandon in "Thelma and Louise" for sone real cinema xx

I watched this with my husband and it definitely isn't my type of movie but it was powerful enough to change my views on a few things. The acting is amazing and I enjoyed it all the way through.