| RATING: | 100% |
| FORMAT: | DVD |
To Kill a Mockingbird for Whites, this is a fascinating depiction of something prevalent in Black experience: The transference of guilt; resulting in being accused of wrongdoing simply because of ones appearance.
A system that is fixed against any real belief in the idea that one is innocent-until-proven-guilty is brilliantly-evoked - especially in the eventual madness of one of the characters who feels they can no longer do anything to change their fate that is being dictated by the hostility of others. Depression, schizophrenia and paranoia are often the result - as here.
As in Kafka’s The Trial, justice only exists in the sense of a lottery whose rules are never clear nor consistent. That the police are less interested in justice than they are in securing a conviction is well-presented and convincing. Unlike Kafka, however, the central character here is normal and ordinary and could never be accused of being in any way responsible for his predicament.
The performances are flawless from all concerned, especially the brilliant Vera MILES. Henry FONDA is also perfect in the Noble Negro of the man who knows that whatever he does, he will be found guilty.
Technically, it is highly-appropriate that this true story is shot as if it were a documentary; serving to make it all the more chilling as we realize that this could happen to anyone. The police procedural aspect of the plotting also serves this purpose well, as does the director - Alfred Hitchcock’s - trademark lack of emotive storytelling ability - which only really surfaces because of the often lyrical musical soundtrack.
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