So, we decided, since it's Easter, to find a film that both religious and secular people might enjoy. This film, we thought, seems to fit that category pretty well. The main theme of this particular movie has to do with justification for the death penalty. Now, while this theme is heavily present during the film, it does manage to address the issue without getting overly preachy. There are also other undertones in the film touching on ethics, morality, forgiveness, mercy and grace, which we found to be more meaningful for us (since we don't have capital punishment in our country). The main character, Sister Helen Prejean, is the driving force of this story. You, as a viewer, will witness everything from her point of view, which allows you to feel empathy for everyone involved, be it victims' families or the perpetrator. All the performances are delivered beautifully and convincingly, though a special shout-out must be given to Susan Sarandon (who deservedly won an Oscar for her portrayal) and Sean Penn for making his character quite vulnerable and even sympathetic. The moral philosophical questions in this movie are so universal that we think you can enjoy this film, no matter what your background is.
