Clemency (2019)

Clemency: Directed by Chinonye Chukwu. With Alfre Woodard, Richard Schiff, Aldis Hodge, Wendell Pierce. As she prepares to execute another inmate, Bernadine must confront the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned to kill.

“First Hit: The slow eruption of sorrow by Alfre Woodard as Warden Bernadine Williams is formidable.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMake no mistake, this is Woodardu0026#39;s film from beginning to end. As the warden of a prison that executes the individuals on death row, she faces up to her with a commitment to her job, strength, and affected vulnerability.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film begins with Warden Williams presiding over an execution. The medical orderly botches needle insertion attempts. The camera focuses on Williamsu0026#39; face almost the whole time, and by reading the barely visible changes in expression, we know sheu0026#39;s a percolating pot of unexpressed feelings.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWilliams is married to Jonathan (Wendell Pierce), who is a high school teacher. We only find out about his work late in the film, but the scene where heu0026#39;s reading to his students provides a good indication of the depth and quality of the man he is.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are moments the film explores their relationship with scenes in their home, and what we see is a man doing his best to reach out to his wife, and she is barely able to respond.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBernadine is loyal to her job. She knows it is essential, but her own awareness that the job is eating her alive is minimal. When sheu0026#39;s engaging prisoners, especially Anthony Woods (Aldis Hodge), are both practical and carry an underlying heartfelt caring.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe focus of this story is between the time of the early botched execution and the execution of Woods. The story uses Major Logan Cartwrightu0026#39;s (LaMonica Garrett) difficulty after the botched execution as to the power of responsibility to do oneu0026#39;s job of pushing the buttons of death. There is this side story of Chaplain Kendricks (Michael Ou0026#39;Neill), who is the Chaplain that is there to assist the doomed prisoners. There is the anti-execution attorney Marty Lumetta (Richard Schiff) pleading to stay Woodsu0026#39;s execution because evidence shows he probably wasnu0026#39;t the killer and because of the previously botched execution. Then there is Woodsu0026#39;s own story and the effect of discovering he has a son just before his day of execution.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll of these stories are etched in Williamsu0026#39; face as she painfully goes through her duties of Warden.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe scene with Woods in his cell, trying to hurt himself, is painful to watch. I had to turn away for part of it. When Woods meets up with the mother of his son, her story of why she did what she did was so compelling. Deputy Warden Thomas Morganu0026#39;s (Richard Gunn) support of Williams is shown in several scenes. The bar parking lot scene in which he asks for keys is reflective of his caring, help, and support.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film, because the subject is dark, is mostly shot in darker tones. The Williamsu0026#39; home is not infused with light, the prison and prison walls are realistically portrayed in generic faded government colors. The yellow lines border each hallway in prison, guiding prisoners where they can walk, is poignantly shown.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHowever, the film is very slow-paced, and at times, I did want it to jump forward, but I also understand why it was done this way.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWoodard gives a career-defining performance. The subtle movements in her expressions, eyes, and body movement tell a compelling story, and it surely deserved an award nomination. Garrett was terrific as this hulking strong guard that had to succumb to his inner voice about participating in another execution. Pierce was extraordinary in his role as Bernadineu0026#39;s husband. Schiff was terrific as the prisoner rights attorney. Ou0026#39;Neill was perfect as the Chaplain. Hodge was remarkable and fantastic as the prisoner wrongly accused of murder facing death by execution. Gunn was excellent as a caring Deputy Warden. Chinonye Chukwu wrote and directed this film with both heart and intention. When the state takes a life, it affects everyone involved, including our society.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOverall: This was a study in outstanding acting by Woodard.”