A Time to Kill

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 24, 1996

8.5	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 191 Ratings

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JaredB.Mar 31, 2008

I have seen almost every one of the movies that have been adapted from John Grishams novels. This is, by a longshot, the best one. Samuel L. Jackson plays Carl Lee, a black man whose daughter is brutally raped by two racist rednecks. As the I have seen almost every one of the movies that have been adapted from John Grishams novels. This is, by a longshot, the best one. Samuel L. Jackson plays Carl Lee, a black man whose daughter is brutally raped by two racist rednecks. As the rapists are being brought to their arraignment, Carl Lee steps in and shoots them both, killing them. Carl Lee is then arrested and charged with murder. He picks Jake Brigance, brilliantly played by Matthew McConaughey, to defend him. When Brigance agrees, he finds himself spending more time on the case, and less time on other things, like his family. This puts a major strain on his marriage. I also liked Sandra Bullock as Ellen Roark, a Boston Law student who badly wants to help. I can't reveal the end of the movie, because then, I'd spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. If you havent yet seen this movie I strongly recommend it. Be warned, however, that, because of some violence and graphic descriptions of rape, this movie is NOT for very young children. Personally, I absolutely adored this film.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful

MovieGuysJun 8, 2014

A Time to Kill proves to be one of the most riveting courtroom dramas of the 90's: the acting is great and the story is shocking, if not a bit formulaic. However, it's the romanticism and relationship elements in the movie that bring it downA Time to Kill proves to be one of the most riveting courtroom dramas of the 90's: the acting is great and the story is shocking, if not a bit formulaic. However, it's the romanticism and relationship elements in the movie that bring it down a bit. Save it for the Phantom, Schumacher.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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SpangleJul 22, 2016

A Time to Kill may be quite typical in spots, it is also an incredibly well crafted and great film at others. In particular, the writing is spectacular, particularly at the end with Matthew McConaughey's final monologue. Passionate andA Time to Kill may be quite typical in spots, it is also an incredibly well crafted and great film at others. In particular, the writing is spectacular, particularly at the end with Matthew McConaughey's final monologue. Passionate and beautiful, the writing in that scene really sweeps you up and elevates the whole picture. Additionally, the film manages to thrill at all turns as you attempt to figure out what the jury will decide in this landmark and racially divisive case. Can a black man receive a fair trial in Mississippi? Should he be guilty regardless? A morally difficult film about vigiliantism, the film can be quite one sided and not all of the characters are well put together, but the acting and dialogue more than fix these problems. McConaughey is terrific and Samuel L. Jackson is great with a passionate and typically fiery performance as the father who exacted revenge on the men who raped his daughter. A tough watch at times, A Time to Kill showcases how the courtroom drama type of film can be done right and can be incredibly thrilling and thought provoking. Though typical, A Time to Kill has more than enough going for it to overcome those problems.… Expand

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Eilidh2Jun 7, 2015

It's always interesting to read reviews of older movies. You can see how often reviewers totally don't get how influential a film will become. You quite often read sterling reviews for films that have totally been forgotten. And then findIt's always interesting to read reviews of older movies. You can see how often reviewers totally don't get how influential a film will become. You quite often read sterling reviews for films that have totally been forgotten. And then find reviews for a film like this one (judged mediocre by critics when it came out) that still speaks to people. A film that can be seen over and over on TV and still maintain its force and passion.

Sadly, the issues addressed in A Time to Kill are ever more present with us. The speech "imagine she is white" is so timely today.

Amazing to see such a collection of future Oscar winners and nominees in this: McConaughey, Bullock, Spacey, Fricker, Judd. And how is it possible neither McConaughey nor Samuel L. Jackson were nominated for their superb performances?… Expand

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HotelCentralJan 29, 2019

You'd think that a movie produced by a lawyer (John Grisham) and based on a novel written by a lawyer (John Grisham) would have courtroom scenes as gripping as a backpack of dynamite strapped onto the shoulders of a 10 year old boy who isYou'd think that a movie produced by a lawyer (John Grisham) and based on a novel written by a lawyer (John Grisham) would have courtroom scenes as gripping as a backpack of dynamite strapped onto the shoulders of a 10 year old boy who is diagnosed as hyperactive.

Sadly, the courtroom scenes are the weakest part of the film. The legal points made by the lawyers seem mild as milk and made me yearn for the courtroom back and forth in every episode of the old Perry Mason TV series (1966-71). And the climax of it all . . . well, don't get me started. Suffice it to say that there are no stunning legal points to be found and the final scenes are saccharine to a fault. It's all about what we feel and never mind the law.

The good news is that we spend barely 30 minutes in the courtroom, as near as I recall, and this in a film measuring out to two hours and twenty-nine minutes.

Most of the film is about the South, the racism in the South, and the racists in the South, specifically Mississippi in the 1980s. I suppose the film is trying to say that if you kill two men in front of 30+ witnesses, and you're black, and you haven't a hope in Hell of getting a fair trial anywhere in Mississippi, then it's only moral that you should be found not guilty, as long as you were sufficiently wronged by the two men you killed.

Well, personally, I feel that two wrongs do not make a right, and if as a society we decide to endorse vigilante killings then we're using the same moral compass as the Ku Klux Klan, and even the mafia, so why bother having laws or police or anything resembling countries? Just load up your guns and prepare for anarchy.

Thanks, but I'll stick with the laws.

Frankly, I think the old Humphrey Bogart film "The Black Legion" (1937) did a better job illuminating the racist underground and it had the advantage of being a lot shorter, by about 66 minutes, in fact.

Now I think I'll go watch Mississippi Burning (1988), which of course is about 1960s Mississippi, where black churches were burned and civil rights workers murdered and virtually everybody white was in on it in one way or another.… Expand

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eva3si0nMay 21, 2018

The excellent detective drama, with even young McConaughey. History is simple, full of racism. Here only the KKK causes only affection here. And the fact that the main defendant will be acquitted too obviously.

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DufreshestJul 16, 2018

A Time To Kill: Time For Humanity (Review)

Cinematography: 10/10 Might some consider this vintage? The slight grittiness of the visuals always makes films seem more cinematic to me. Plus - the flow of the film is amazing and reallyA Time To Kill: Time For Humanity (Review)

Cinematography: 10/10 Might some consider this vintage? The slight grittiness of the visuals always makes films seem more cinematic to me. Plus - the flow of the film is amazing and really encapsulates the story in a poetically revealing cinematic sense. The film gets better and better with every scene!

Costume Design: 9.797/10 Ever watch a film that doesn't distract you by the attire but makes you feel more engrossed in the film by the attire?

Film Editing: 10/10 Solid.

Make-up and Hair-styling: 9.797/10 Not distracting and seems to be very telling of the cultural styles in the particular climates.

Sound Editing: 9.892/10 A strong element is using the natural flow of sound in a space. I find myself intently listening: the natural amplifications and inflections flowing really makes the vocals stand out.

Visual Effects: 10/10 Solid.

Story: 10/10 Talk about covering bases. A Time To Kill leaves no stones unturned and adequately implements to create a very very well completed story.

Acting: 10/10 Phenomenal. Do you understand the importance of having acting partners capable of handling a lot of dialogue and motion effectively in a film of this caliber?

Personal: So, I watch A Time To Kill after someone reprimands me (not aggressively, just in extreme shock) for not watching the film and then recommends me watch the film. We were trying to figure out other movies Matthew McConnaughey is in because I was talking about seeing White Boy Rick. I've come to realize he is in a few films I enjoy: beyond this point, I find A Time To Kill to be a very voluminous film which shows the importance of justice, law, and human existence in proper effect. I contemplate all of the contributing factors that force humans to recognize the importance of humanity. People are constantly learning actively and subconsciously. There is so much contributing to one's developments and growths: ultimately, the sole responsibility of one's developments rests on an individual's being as well as the way one defines their self in the midst of their circumstances. Yet - the assistance one receives in their life may be of greatly considerable factors towards their development.

Overall: 9.935/10

-K.D.

If you're into Poetry and other bits of creativity, check out my Instagram: @Dufreshest.… Expand

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harvdog03Oct 31, 2018

I love John Grisham stories when they are adapted to film. A Time to Kill is really awesome. It has a great cast and man on man that final jury speech is intense.

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