Dead Man Walking is a very powerful film. What feelings and/or reactions did you have while viewing it?
I really enjoyed Dead Man Walking. Before we watched the film, I already has strong anti-capital punishment views. After seeing the movie, I feel validated in my opinion. I thought the movies was extremely well done. It was not overly dramatic and "Hollywood." Instead, it told the story it needed to tell in the most realistic way possible. Because of this, I felt very connected to the characters in the film. I even cried when Matthew, the death row inmate, got to spend a final few hours with his family. This movie shined a light on a side of the death penalty argument that is often ignored--the fact that the criminal is a human being. He, too, has a family who will undoubtedly be affected by his death, no matter how evil his actions were. And, like most people, an inmate is afraid. He is alone and he will be put to death surrounded by people who do not care for him, save for a spiritual adviser.
Overall, I think that this movie depicted a hot-button issue quite poignantly. Rather than being political, the movie just told the story of Matthew and Sister Helen. In doing that, though, it was able to send a strong message to viewers about whether the death penalty is truly a necessary evil. I really enjoyed this movie, and I think it will stay with me for a long time.
