Susan Sarandon is wonderful in Oscar-winning role as real-life Sister Helen Prejean, an opponent of the death penalty who stirred controversy for befriending a scurrilous killer on Death Row--and finding his heart in the process. Writer-director Tim Robbins, obviously an opponent of the death penalty himself, lays on the life-in-prison propaganda pretty thick and some of his touches are uncomfortable or heavy-handed (especially when killer becomes victim, crucified on the table); however, Robbins handles the actors just right, especially real-life love Sarandon, who has seldom been shown to such an incredible advantage. The snappy repartee in the early part of the picture feels a little 'Hollywood', but Robbins enjoys a good verbal battle and nearly every sequence between Sarandon and Sean Penn is the stuff of powerful human drama. Based upon Sister Prejean's book, this is thoughtful, heady cinema. *** from ****
Review of Dead Man Walking
