Although Dead Man Walking is, for a large part, an anti-capitol punishment commercial, it still manages to break through some significant ideas. Loosely based on a true story, Dead Man Walking is about Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) who, with another man, killed a young couple and raped the girl. Just a short time before he is to be executed, he petitions for the help of a nun, Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) because he wants a lawyer and another trial before his time arrives. Sister Prejean helps where she can in that area, but also gives him something more he wasn’t expecting – love.

Dead Man Walking is beautifully shot and includes equally beautiful vocal music provided by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Eddie Vedder. It is also very well acted, especially by Penn, who really gets down the simultaneously apathetic and tortured feelings of a murderer who is about to die. In fact, Penn does such a good job it’s fun just to see him in action. When Penn isn’t on the screen, however, the film doesn’t hold up so well. We get Helen Prejean dealing with a bureaucratic Catholic administration or with the embittered parents of the two victims.

The parents of the victims become the exemplar for hypocritical Christians. They call themselves the righteous ones but never allow themselves to feel anything but hatred towards Poncelet. It isn’t just the parents either. It’s the people, the priests, the prison guards, and the nurse who ministers the lethal injection. Even the poor folks with whom Prejean works become cold towards her. It’s the whole world against her – and just because she’s loving.

Her actions do seem to parallel her own words about Jesus Christ, that he was a rebel simply because he loved the sinners. It’s a bit contrived, but affecting nonetheless. At one point in the film Matthew asks her, “Why should I respect you?” She replies, “Because I’m a person and every person deserves respect.” Helen becomes a living example of this kind of respect, and eventually is able to draw the respect of everyone, including Matthew, in return.

A parallel story involves Matthew’s ability to admit his guilt and take responsibility for himself. He spends a lot of time blaming everyone but himself, but is eventually broken down by Prejean’s unconditional love, and admits his part in the crime. He really does become penitent and finally experiences something of a change of heart.


 
 
 

Year:

 MPAA Rating: Running Time: Date Written:  
1995 R 2:02 08/03  
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