IMDb RATING
6.5/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
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.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.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.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 4 wins & 32 nominations total
William B. Simmons II
- Evette's Son
- (as William Simmons)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
What turned out to be a promising start, sadly the ending wasn't that satisfying to me. Nevertheless, exceptional performance by the cast, mainly by Aldis Hodge, Alfre Woodard and Alex Castillo.
This film literally brought tears to my eyes.
... by Alfre Woodward in a devastating film about inhumanity - presiding over death row executions takes its toll as she, the governor, witnesses first hand, the brutality of a world trying to be just and fair but failing badly.
I seem to agree with most of the other reviews. The acting was first rate; however it was very slow and the ending left a LOT to be desired.
Judging from the relatively few votes it appears that not many have seen this movie. It is done very well but moves along quite deliberately. It is a fictional story inspired by real people and real events. It is mainly a character study of the warden, a woman, who for some years has been regularly required to preside over the execution of death row inmates after their appeals have run out. She has gotten very clinical about it, in one scene she is questioning the next one scheduled in a couple of days, asking if anyone wants to bury him, or what the prison will do "with the body" almost as if she were talking to someone other than the inmate.
This is an indication of how the psychology of her job has affected her, hardened her, and devolving into a seemingly inability to connect romantically with her husband, a professor. When he suggests they might retire and get different jobs, the change might do them good, she retorts that hers isn't just a job, it is her profession.
The movie also addresses the character of the condemned inmate, 15 years after a crime. What he is going through as his lawyer tries to gain clemency for him, at the same time trying to prepare himself for the execution if it comes to that.
This is a good movie of a difficult story, I am glad that I watched it, at home on DVD from my public library.
This is an indication of how the psychology of her job has affected her, hardened her, and devolving into a seemingly inability to connect romantically with her husband, a professor. When he suggests they might retire and get different jobs, the change might do them good, she retorts that hers isn't just a job, it is her profession.
The movie also addresses the character of the condemned inmate, 15 years after a crime. What he is going through as his lawyer tries to gain clemency for him, at the same time trying to prepare himself for the execution if it comes to that.
This is a good movie of a difficult story, I am glad that I watched it, at home on DVD from my public library.
A prison warden dealing with depression tries to hold on to life and sanity as she begins to empathize with a young man on death row.
A strong film, despite the slow pace, full of representation and many messages, a strong woman with character and systematics, firm hand and leadership with an iron fist, it is not difficult to choose between a peaceful retirement next to her husband or to continue in the job she loves and performs with mastery (I feel personally affected, as it is a difficult choice to make)... On the other hand, the fated and failed American death penalty, as unfair as it is punitive... Wonderful Alfre and Aldis ...
A strong film, despite the slow pace, full of representation and many messages, a strong woman with character and systematics, firm hand and leadership with an iron fist, it is not difficult to choose between a peaceful retirement next to her husband or to continue in the job she loves and performs with mastery (I feel personally affected, as it is a difficult choice to make)... On the other hand, the fated and failed American death penalty, as unfair as it is punitive... Wonderful Alfre and Aldis ...
Did you know
- TriviaTo prepare for their roles, Alfre Woodard met with prison wardens and Aldis Hodge spoke with two men on death row. Director Chinonye Chukwu accompanied them.
- How long is Clemency?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $364,716
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $35,444
- Dec 29, 2019
- Gross worldwide
- $364,952
- Runtime
- 1h 52m(112 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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