The Exonerated (2005) Reviews

The Exonerated (2005)
Member Rating:  
Adapted by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen from their own off-Broadway play, The Exonerated dramatizes the real-life stories of six innocent citizens who spent anywhere from three to 20 years on death row until DNA testing proved that they had all been falsely convicted. Each of the six stories is related in the first person, using free-flowing flashbacks to highlight selected events. Some critics felt that, by using such A-list actors as Susan Sarandon, Aidan Quinn, Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, and Delroy Lindo to play the unfairly condemned protagonists, the text of the original play was thrown off balance; this may be the reason why the relatively unknown David Brown Jr., cast as the sixth main character, received some of the best reviews. In the tradition of Schindler's List, the actual people whose experiences are enacted in the film show up on camera for the final scene. Directed by veteran Broadway and Hollywood actor Bob Balaban (Seinfeld, A Mighty Wind), The Exonerated was produced for the Court TV cable channel, and was first broadcast on January 27, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Susan Sarandon, Aidan Quinn, (more)
Director(s):
Bob Balaban
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(11 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Sarah B.

I LOVED this movie. I am surprised by the negative comments. It is definitely not for someone that likes action as it is actors talking about their experiences to the camera. However, once I got used to the format, I was completely taken in. These stories are heart wrenching and important to hear. If you like a thought provoking, emotional movie you will not be disappointed.

Yes   |   No


Keith G.

Intelligent, mostly well acted filming of the stage play, as 6 people exonerated from death row tell their true stories, mostly as monologues, against a black background. A powerful argument against the death penalty, it feels a bit stuck between embracing its theatricality of approach, and trying to work as a more cinematic piece both in the way its shot, the occasional awkward flashbacks and in the "size" of the performances, which range from understated and small to quite theatrical and presentational. But whatever questions one might have about the stylistic choices, there's no question that these are powerful, important true stories in that every rarer thing, a dramatized American film that head on addresses an issue with passion and intelligence.

Yes   |   No


Lee S.

I agree with Sarah B. It did take some getting used to format, sequences--then hooked. Cast was an extra bonus--very good--portrayng these emotional situations.

Yes   |   No


Judy R.

This was an excellent movie. We all know there are injustices and this film definitely points them out. The one thought that was prevalent for me: some times we don't realize how lucky we are!

Yes   |   No


Spencer M.

Well done documentary. You wish the truth is easier to determine. One still has to wonder if these people are really innocent. I guess you will never know. If they were, what a waste of lives.

Yes   |   No


Linda H.

This is not a movie...it's a documentary with actors portraying the people. I thought it would be an introduction to the characters and then the story go into the lives of these people...it is not....it is nothing but "interviews" with the characters. We bailed out at 15 minutes, after checking the chapters further into the movie to see if it was different than the first part.

Yes   |   No


Laurie S.

ok, thought this would be good, wrong again, Sarandon is washed up.

Yes   |   No


John J.

It's sad to read the previous reviews. Sad that people require so much to be entertained. This is a simple movie. It's actors portraying real people and telling their story. No way it deserves less than 3 stars. I knew from the cast that there was a good chance there was value here. Some actors choose their roles by whether the content matters to them personally. I trust people like Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover and Aidan Quinn. (There are others like Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino who seem to have sold their souls to the highest bidder) I guarantee that if you watch this movie you will have to do some soul searching about the US criminal justice system and the power structure. Unfortunately, some people's life experience is such that they truly believe that only bad people end up in jail and only good people are in the police and justice system. Have some tissues available. I was balling for much of the last quarter. May God forgive us for the harm we have caused others.

Yes   |   No


Roy T.

I did not like this move at all. It has a good cast of actors but it ends there. I do Not consider this a movie at all it's more like iterviews and people stories. Some people might find these stories interesting but after watching about 30 minutes, I fast forward hopping for something else.

Yes   |   No


HowardCandy B.

This would be ok if you like this type of movie with the actors talking to the camera. I fast forwarded looking for a change but found little.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (11)
     
    Sarah B.

    I LOVED this movie. I am surprised by the negative comments. It is definitely not for someone that likes action as it is actors talking about their experiences to the camera. However, once I got used to the format, I was completely taken in. These stories are heart wrenching and important to hear. If you like a thought provoking, emotional movie you will not be disappointed.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Keith G.

    Intelligent, mostly well acted filming of the stage play, as 6 people exonerated from death row tell their true stories, mostly as monologues, against a black background. A powerful argument against the death penalty, it feels a bit stuck between embracing its theatricality of approach, and trying to work as a more cinematic piece both in the way its shot, the occasional awkward flashbacks and in the "size" of the performances, which range from understated and small to quite theatrical and presentational. But whatever questions one might have about the stylistic choices, there's no question that these are powerful, important true stories in that every rarer thing, a dramatized American film that head on addresses an issue with passion and intelligence.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Lee S.

    I agree with Sarah B. It did take some getting used to format, sequences--then hooked. Cast was an extra bonus--very good--portrayng these emotional situations.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 11 Reviews
       

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