Such a frustrating disappointment

Best movie ever!

The acting in this movie is really good.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

I can't help but admit that my personal feelings about the principals for this film, including director Tim Robbins, in a way influence my thoughts about the picture. However I will concede that throughout the movie, there was an even handed approach to balancing both sides of the capital punishment issue. For added poignancy, the parents of the victims of Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) are given their due, and Sister Prejean's (Susan Sarandon) efforts to understand both their feelings and those of Poncelet himself are to be commended. Both Penn and Sarandon offer competent portrayals of their characters, with Penn particularly effective. Though I'm no fan of either, I can still recognize that their efforts were noteworthy here. There wasn't much doubt in my mind that Poncelet was not wrongly convicted, and the closing moments of the story brought that home in frightening detail. What's interesting to me is that almost two decades after this film came out, Sean Penn appeared in 2003's "Mystic River", in which he portrays a father seeking vengeance for a daughter who is murdered , and in so doing, winds up killing his childhood best friend. That best friend in the story was portrayed by Tim Robbins.

He isn't sorry for being such an arsehole in real life (but they never are!), but i digress; Concerning the film itself & authenticity:- real people simple aren't that numb to shocking/horrendous behaviour of other's & nor would they be even remotely sympathetic to such a bastard (unless they are a closet bastard as opposed to their religious preacher guise)..., if they were any good they're decent human sensibilitie's would be so offended by Sean Penn playing his real life bastard self (so convincingly) that they would hate the phucker & would volunteer to lethally inject birdschitt into him until he die's on the day of his overdue execution! Another obvious observation litigated by 'Not Your's Truly'

First of all: this movie is so well acted that you are directly connected to the emotions of the characters just by looking into their faces. I have never watched a movie before which grabbed me like this by my throat and didn't let go till the end. And when i am talking about the ending i can say that it is amazing! I loved this movie because it is one of those who changes you're feelings not only when you are watching the movie but for a long period of time. Watch it! and i can guarantee that you will cry. As i said not the Story or the plot are the main factor of this movie. The emotions feelings and the greatly connected acting are making this movie a masterpiece. When you have friends who are support the dead sentencing, go and watch the movie with them. I am sure it will change their thoughts about killing people who killed.

"I want the last face you see in this world to be the face of love, so you look at me when they do this thing. I'll be the face of love for you."Dead Man Walking is a film that explores the unique and unexpected bond formed between a Catholic nun and a convicted murderer on Death Row. I know this doesn't exactly sound as a compelling plot nor a crowd pleaser, but it was definitely a thought provoking film and surprisingly one of the best movies of 1995 thanks to the strong performances. Tim Robbins adapted the screenplay from Sister Helen Prejean's nonfictional book of the same name, and he also directed this inspirational spiritual drama that avoids being one sided and preachy by approaching the material through several different viewpoints. Sister Helen Prejean may be an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, but this film rather than take sides on the issue allows for both views to make their case and doesn't seem to have a hidden agenda. Robbins could've taken the easy way out by making the convicted murderer more sympathetic, but from the very first scene he's in, we know this is no saint and the film doesn't shy away from what he did and the effect his actions had in the family of the victims. This is one of those rare films that approaches a controversial subject and succeeds at being balanced, which makes it a great tool for discussion.Sister Helen is probably one of the most authentic Christian characters portrayed on film as she is purely empathetic towards everyone around her. She isn't forcing her religion on this convict or trying to convert him, but rather finding a way for him to come to terms with what he did and find redemption by taking responsibility for his actions. She truly cares for this man, who isn't exactly a role model, and there is never any judgement in her words. It is rare to find a spiritual character like this portrayed on film in such an honest way, and Susan Sarandon takes the strong material and delivers one of her best performances to date. She simply cares for everyone around her and she is trying to do what is right because she is committed to her beliefs, and she actually applies them which is a rare thing. Sean Penn also delivers a strong performance as the convict, Matthew Poncelet, who every time he opens his mouth the less sympathetic he is, but it is evident he is trying to hide his true emotions and blame everyone else for what he has become. His chemistry with Sarandon is what carries this movie, but there are also several strong supporting performances. Margo Martindale is an actress that is often overlooked, but she deserves more recognition. She can effortlessly play a villain like in The Leftovers, or a loving and supporting Sister like she does here. R. Lee Ermey and Celia Weston play the resentful parents of the victim, and they share a great scene with Susan Sarandon that says a lot about her character. Tim Robbins hasn't directed a better film and I think he owes much of the success of this movie to the strong performances along with his well written and thought provoking script. http://estebueno10.blogspot.com/