Story wise this is definitely 10 stars. Its unclear what dramatic embellishments were made, but it is based on a true story, and there was incredible courage required by those involved to pursue this fight.
Its a powerful emotional and human perspective on a horrible injustice that most definitely hasn't been resolved. The end of the movie will tell you the life updates of all the major characters, make sure you pay attention to the DA's.
While the movie focuses on racial bias against blacks, the issues of legal persecution apply to all people, and the movie does a fair job in illustrating those impacts. As a social issue, there's been no improvement, and likely worsening, since 2000 or 2008, and that is what makes this movie so fundamental and important.
Plot summary
A young single mother of four living in a small Texas town. Arrested during a drug raid and accused of a crime she didn't commit, Dee goes against the wishes of her mother, Alma, and rejects the plea-bargain that would free her from jail, but brand her as a felon for life. As word begins to spread that similar incidents are occurring in poor communities all across the country, Dee realizes that there are more mothers out there like her, and decides to take a stand against powerful district attorney Calvin Beckett. Now, despite being well aware of District Attorney Beckett's fierce reputation, Dee enlists the aid of ACLU attorney David Cohen and former narcotics officer Sam Conroy in overcoming the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that, if not navigated with the greatest of caution, now threaten to destroy her life. With the custody of her children on the line, one brave mother wages a valiant battle to strike at the very heart of the corrupt Texas justice system.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
May 30, 2021 at 01:49 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Must see movie -- important story
Worth Seeing
Somewhat preachy, but revealing story of how DAs in rural Texas in particular and maybe South in general have and use the power to make their statistics look good by picking on African Americans. The first half has the ambiance of a taut documentary. Less so after the civil lawsuit began. It should have been a civil rights suit in the federal court, but this wasn't made clear at first. The deposition scenes really detracted from the impact, but maybe that's the way depositions are conducted in Texas. Alfra Woodard as the Grandmother takes the top acting honors. However, the acting was first rate from top to bottom.
Jim Madison, Menlo Park, CA