Film Review Thesis and Outline

Adam Behnke

Thesis: A Time to Kill causes the viewer to have sympathy for African-Americans in a racist, 1990s South through the use of excellent acting, cinematography, and screenplay. I. The acting prowess in A Time to Kill makes the hate for blacks real and the desperation of blacks heart-wrenching. a. The intense hate and disrespect portrayed by Ku Klux Klan members (led by Kiefer Sutherland) and the ferocity with which they carry out hate-crimes force the viewer to feel bad for the blacks affected. b. The sincerity of Samuel L. Jackson is very painful to watch, but his struggles ring very true with most viewers. c. Matthew McConaughey , as the character central to the story, unbelievable in the range emotions he shows. As he defends Carl Lee (Samuel L. Jackson), he feels the hate of racists, even though he is a middle-class white man. The screenplay brings the issue of race to the forefront, focusing on injustices happening to African-Americans at all times. a. The probable release of the rapists of Carl Lees daughter puts him in an impossible position, regardless of his skin color. He is set up to fail from the very beginning. b. The all-white jury makes it even harder for Mr. Brigantz, Carl Lees white lawyer, to justify the murders committed. c. The moment Carl Lee is told his daughter will never be able to have kids is very emotional, showing the severity of the effects of hardcore racism. The cinematography is violent, up close, and personal, forcing the viewers to see the realities of racism. a. The rape of Carl Lees daughter is filmed from her perspective; absolute hate and supremacy motivating the rapists actions. b. The KKK are never shown in a bright or relaxed setting; they are always on edge and vengeful, usually committing their crimes in the backdrop of night.

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