"Dead Man Walking" is a drama based on the true story of Matthew Poncelet, which explores the issue of capital punishment. Susan Sarandon play Sister Helen Prejean, a nun and teacher, along with other things, who has often worked with prisoners on death row. One day she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), a young man whose execution date is coming up for the rape and murder of two teenagers. Sister Helen agrees to see Matthew as a spiritual advisor, and after a meeting with him, she promises to do her best to stay the execution. However, the movie leaves no doubt in the watcher's eyes that Matthew Poncelet's claims of innocence is merely an attempt at getting off for the crime he committed, and that he is a reprehensible racist. When it becomes clear that the sentence date with be upheld, Sister Helen offers him as much comfort as she can, while still pushing him in the direction of admitting to the crimes, and seeking not only the forgiveness of the families of the victims, but also that of God's. In the end, all she can do is hope and pray that when he walks into the execution chamber he will be a changed man.
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The review of this Movie prepared by Anelise Conaway
