Opened: July 24, 1996

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Kevin Spacey, Oliver Platt, Charles S. Dutton, Brenda Fricker, Donald Sutherland, Beth Grant, Kiefer Sutherland, Patrick McGoohan, Ashley Judd, Tonea Stewart, Rae’Ven Larrymore Kelly, Byron Jennings, John Diehl, Chris Cooper, Nicky Katt, Doug Hutchison, Kurtwood Smith, Anthony Heald, M. Emmet Walsh, Jon Seneca & Jonathan Hadary

While the film has its flaws, what makes A Time to Kill stand out is the racism and hatred presented that is still prevalent in our country today.

After Billy Ray (Nicky Katt) and Pete (Doug Hutchison) rape 10-year-old Tonya (Rae’Ven Larrymore Kelly), her father Carl Lee (Samuel L. Jackson) murders them. Jake (Matthew McConaughey) is brought on as Carl Lee’s lawyer as tensions rise in the city.

McConaughey gives a deeply earnest and emotional monologue at the end of the film, while Jackson is empathetic as Carl Lee. You won’t blame him for what he did, even if you couldn’t do it.

You’d hope that this racism would be dead but seeing constant media coverage of racist acts across America, it shows how vital the message of this film still is.

Final say: A brilliant showcase. ★★★★☆