A Time to Kill

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A Time to Kill

R

1996

2h 30m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), an untested lawyer, to defend him. Brigance struggles to believe that he can get Hailey acquitted in this small, segregated Southern town, given Hailey's race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, but Carl has unshakable faith in him.

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Critics Consensus

Overlong and superficial, A Time to Kill nonetheless succeeds on the strength of its skillful craftsmanship and top-notch performances.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/14/2022

In order to enjoy this mediocre John Grisham courtroom drama, labeled as top-notch entertainment by many of my colleagues, you have to accept an ersatz, cartoonish version of the deep south...

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Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

11/29/2017

(Grisham) films are... grossly over-inflated examples of that old genre which hardly ever need change, the courtroom drama. A Time To Kill is no different, except that its verdict would be laughed out of any court anywhere in the civilised world.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

06/14/2009

A likable -- maybe even lovable -- movie.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/01/2022

B-

The performances are strong, the issues provocative.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

07/03/2022

6/10

There is a lot in here that is effective, and plenty that works. There is simply also a lot that doesn’t.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

06/13/2021

3/4

...a slow-moving yet mostly engrossing drama...

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Dana S

Nov 25

My all time favorite movie. Riveting! On the edge of your seat movie with surprises at every turn. I've seen it about 20 times and will watch again!

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Monic Kenya M

Nov 23

Excellent acting. Strong script.

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Dave C

Nov 15

Solid, star-studded long-form book-to-screen story covering the usual raft of themes found in many a John Grisham novel. Well-acted, and well-told, if a tad longer than it could do with being

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Basilio S

Nov 12

A must watch, amazing acting, unpredictable, it's long but the suspense pulls you back. It elicits the emotions expected. I wish i saw more of the daughter. I am just surprised the daughter was not used as a witness in court. Not sure if she was not old enough.

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Cameron B

@CameronLand Oct 15

The performances are strong, the issues provocative.

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Frans B

@FransB Sep 16

Very difficult to watch, gut wrenching. All star cast performs convincingly in character. Very well written, albeit a bit drawn out. Great cinematography. Very memorable movie filled with all the elements that makes for a courtroom drama and then some.

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Sandra Bullock

Ellen Roark

Samuel L. Jackson

Carl Lee Hailey

Matthew McConaughey

Jake Tyler Brigance

Kevin Spacey

D.A. Rufus Buckley

Brenda Fricker

Ethel Twitty

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51%

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Synopsis

Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey), an untested lawyer, to defend him. Brigance struggles to believe that he can get Hailey acquitted in this small, segregated Southern town, given Hailey's race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, but Carl has unshakable faith in him.

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson, Hunt Lowry, John Grisham
Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman
Production Co: Regency Enterprises
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $108.7M
Runtime: 2h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround

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