Written by Bill Haney; based on an appalling true story of Regina Kelly, a version of her played here by Nicole Beharie (The Morning Show). Single mother of four is arrested by drug squad in a poor section of Texas town, accused of being a drug dealer on the basis of an unreliable witness and a phone recording. She resists taking a plea bargain to get her out of jail; something the end titles reveal happens 95% of the time in the US courts. Luckily the ACLU takes her side in the form of Tim Blake Nelson (didn't recognise him at all) and Malcolm Barrett, enlisting the help of local attorney Will Patton; Michael O'Keefe is the hateful and racist DA who they must prosecute.
The best scene in fact is the deposition of the DA; Behaire has the bright idea that the black member of their team should lead the questioning, eventually causing the DA to lose it. (And by default get the guilty verdicts overturned.)
With Alfre Woodard, as good as ever. Can't remember when we first 'spotted' her - maybe Grand Canyon (1991)? With Xzibit (ex), Charles S Dutton, Anthony Mackie.
Tim is Walt's nephew
No comments:
Post a Comment