Review of Clemency (2019) by Brent_Marchant — 26 Jan 2020

Capital punishment issues are frequently the stuff of robust social discourse, but how often is it scrutinized at the personal level? That's what this intense new drama seeks to do, both for the executioner and those awaiting that ultimate fate.

How does it feel to be the individual on death row? And how does it feel to be the one who orders that the final act be sanctioned? The moral dilemmas faced by all involved may not be as easy or clear cut to decipher as one might think, especially when execution procedures go awry or when the possibility of an innocent individual being improperly put to death rises to the surface.

Alfre Woodard gives a superb performance as a seemingly no-nonsense prison warden who grows increasingly troubled about what she does while trying to remain ever the professional. The picture's chilling cinematography and excellent supporting cast lend much to the production, though the film could have used more development of the protagonist's motivations and back story, as well as a slightly brisker pace overall.

These shortcomings aside, however, this one is likely to haunt viewers after leaving the theater, giving us all much to think about when it comes to matters of justice, life and death.