Dead Man Walking

While not likely to tear the roof off the sucker, the sound design in Dead Man Walking is quiet and effective, but layered and complex. FINAL THOUGHTS: One of the most thoughtful and moving films of the last decade, Dead Man Walking approaches an important modern issue in a way that few films have tried. ... Full Review

For this kind of straight-ahead movie to work, the acting must be strong without even a breath of theatricality, and in Penn and Sarandon, "Dead Man Walking" has performers capable of making that happen. In fact, "Dead Man Walking" is weakest in not expanding on Sister Helen's reasons for persevering with a case that is causing difficulty with almost everyone close to her. ... Full Review

As fine as all of those movies are, there is nothing to prepare us for the power and effective use of cinematic storytelling that is evident in "Dead Man Walking. The result is a profoundly affecting film that will touch you deeply and perhaps even prompt you to re-examine your notions about the issues at hand. ... Full Review

Dead Man Walking is a bold, searching, wrenching experience. It may be the most complexly impassioned message movie Hollywood has ever made. But Tim Robbins' DEAD MAN WALKING (Gramercy, R) may be a special case. ... Full Review

Sarandon is a wonderful actress, so confident in her abilities that she is willing to give just the kind of quiet and unflashy performance warranted here. WITH A gravity-defying pompadour and a virility-proclaiming goatee, Sean Penn is Matthew Poncelet, a convicted killer waiting for execution in Tim Robbins' troubling and troubled "Dead Man Walking. ... Full Review

removes the stigma of piousness from socially conscious filmmaking.....Although it features a fine supporting cast, the film maintains its sharp focus through flawless lead performances by Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon as the Catholic nun Prejean.... ... Full Review

Dead Man Walking is one courageous film, one of the very best of its time. But this is not an ordinary movie. It is another strong performance in a great career by a great actress. These actors give two of the finest performances I have ever seen. ... Full Review

As a film about capital punishment, Dead Man Walking is effective, but the true brilliance of this picture is....There's no preaching in either film.....as a result, his script is never skewed or one-sided.....This is as powerful as motion pictures get, yet, like all great films, it doesn't descend into a valley of spiritual gloom..... ... Full Review

Penn directed 1995's The Crossing Guard , a searching and intimate drama harking back to John Cassavetes' work, and his infrequent but vivid recent performances --....I kept monitoring Sarandon for signs of the gimme-a-break sentimentalism that might invalidate the whole performance;....it's a heroic performance in the deepest sense --.... ... Full Review

this brave, intelligent and very moving film is no dry thesis -....Though it finally takes a firm stand against institutionalised murder, director Robbins' tough, balanced script (from an autobiographical book) never succumbs to special pleading.....thanks principally to the vivid excellence of the performances..... ... Full Review