Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 12/07/1999
SubTitles: Espanol
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: 5.1
Run Time: 122 Minutes
Distributor/Studio: MGM
Tim Robbins' second directorial effort (after the
political satire Bob Roberts) was this
drama based on a true story, which explores the issue of capital punishment.
Sister Helen Prejean (
Susan Sarandon) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day, she receives a letter from
Matthew Poncelet (
Sean Penn), who is scheduled to be executed soon for the rape and murder of two teenagers. After meeting
Matthew,
Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However,
Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best, and it's clear he's a reprehensible, amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that
Matthew's sentence will be carried out,
Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to
Matthew, but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness, telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love."
Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as
Sister Prejean, and
Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as
Matthew.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Average Review:
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A reviewer
from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A Haunting Spiritual Prison Drama.
Tim Robbins' second directorial assignment is a powerful drama inspired by a true story as written in the book by Sister Helen Prejean. Susan Sarandon gives an Oscar-winning portrayal of the real-life Sister Helen Prejean, who becomes the spiritual advisor to a death row inmate, played by Sean Penn, convicted of murdering two teenagers and is awaiting execution. She attempts to redeem his soul and reconcile his needs with the heinousness of his crime, and also, to help find closure for the murdered children's parents. Also starring Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, Celia Weston, R. Lee Emery, Roberta Maxwell, Scott Wilson, Lois Smith, Peter Sarsgaard, Margo Martingale, Barton Heyman, Jack Black, and Larry Pine.
;)
