MovieChat Forums > A Time to Kill (1996) Discussion > Completely unrealistic movie, and a bad ...

Completely unrealistic movie, and a bad message at that

posted 12 years ago by star_in_the_zenith_79
42 replies | jump to latest

Several issues I have with this movie:

1. It would be a lot more believable if it was set in the 1960's, but racial tensions in the 1990's are hugely exaggerated in this movie, and I feel it completely urinates on the progress made in the area of racial harmony in this country in the last 30 years. Sends the message basically that its gotten nowhere.

2. No DA in the country in the 1990's would have sought the gas chamber against Carl Lee, thats absurd. Nor should they have. Any idiot could see he was a hurt and angry man devastated by what happened to his duaghter, not an evil and dangerous murderer.

3. Basically this sends the message that its ok for anyone to take the law into their own hands and vengeance against anyone who wrongs them.

4. The things Chris Cooper said on the stand are probably unrealistic for someone in that position. Even if he sympathized with Carl Lee for wanting to kill people who did that to his daughter, he lost a leg because of Carl Lee's reckless behaviour. For endangering other people's lives alone Carl Lee should have gotten prison time.

I just feel personally this movie promotes a backwards step in racial harmony that has come a long way in the last four decades, as well as vigilante justice. As I said, this would be a far more poignant film in the 1960's setting, 1990's, not so much.

[–] winstonlite 12 years ago

I know the book was set in 1984. I'm not sure if the movie is supposed to be that time period or in the nineties when it was released. However, in either case, it was Mississippi so the racial tension is not so far fetched. A man was dragged behind a truck by 2 white supremacists in Texas in 1998. It pretty much became acceptable to hate Muslims after 9/11. And look at all the racists that have come out of the closet since Obama was elected.

It's not as if this movie is presenting the racial tension as an indicator of the entire nation. But the response to the incident in this book/movie is pretty accurate, even today.

[–] manofsteel4455 12 years ago

But it's not like there's some Higher power who should make all the moral decisions for us.

You want to play the game, you'd better know the rules, love.
-Harry Callahan

[–] mikeyg24 12 years ago

I'm not sure I agree with your first point. Racial harmony? It's more like racial co-existence or tolerence. Most of the South is now self-segregated which the movie portrays. Blacks and whites are allowed into the same establishments but they choose to sit apart, which the movie portrays. There are still latent prejudices between black and white, which the movie also portrays. There are still a handful of red neck racists in the South which the movie portrays. The movie also shows that Klan haven't been around in years which is true of many parts but Klan still exist and very often travel from location to location en masse to protest.

Just because blacks are no longer being lynched, barred from 'whites only' establishments and are being hired to work doesn't change the fact that the spirit or sentiment of segregation has made very little advancement. It's still a tinder box waiting to go up. I think you're very naive if you think the social decline portrayed in this movie isn't possible.

Your's sincerely, General Joseph Liebgott

[–] Doc80 10 years ago

Yeah, in a way it's even worse in some areas then it was in the 50s and 60s. The violence and all that isn't prevalent but the racism and hated is still there. At least back then it was all out in the open, now it has to be buried and covered up.

[–] framedflowproductions 11 years ago

A group of white kids hung and murdered a black kid a few tears ago in mississipi. Take a vacation there and you'll see that its still similar in many parts to the movie

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] star_in_the_zenith_79 11 years ago

How many of the people who have come out of the closet are truly racist? And how many of them just don't care for Obama's policies? I don't want to get into a political argument, but I know for a fact many people who dislike Obama's policies are being unfairly branded as racists.

[–] star_in_the_zenith_79 11 years ago

If you want to see a really good movie about racial injustices, watch one called Carolina Skeletons with Lou Gossett Jr and Bruce Dern, in my opinion it is much more realistic and superior to this one.

[–] GaelinW 11 years ago

How many of the people who have come out of the closet are truly racist? And how many of them just don't care for Obama's policies? I don't want to get into a political argument, but I know for a fact many people who dislike Obama's policies are being unfairly branded as racists.

You're right, some people are being unfairly branded as racists. However, during which other presidencies has not only the president been attacked but also his wife and children? During which other presidencies have so many other politicians and public officials been caught forwarding pictures of apes/monkeys, making watermelon/fried chicken "jokes" - all clearly having racial overtones? Which other president has been shown such a huge amount of just outright disrespect by his peers? Not the so-called "every man" on the street but by his peers.

You're right. Many people have been unfairly branded racists simply because they disagree with Obama's policies. But there are plentyof those who have indeed shown their true colors, as it were.

"I am allowed to think everyone is stupid for 10 minutes."-- Randy Susan Meyers

[–] sacmom3 11 years ago

[–] robcw3w 11 years ago

Does anyone think this movie compares to, "To Kill a Mochingbird", not in the scencs in the quality of the movie, but the same theme?

[–] star_in_the_zenith_79 11 years ago

With the moves toward voter suppression, total disrespect and opposition to our president by southern GOP. Disregard to constitutional rights regarding "stop and frisk" I don't see a backwards step in racial harmony in this movie. It seems to be right on point.

# 3. Seems to have worked very well for the defendant in the death of Trayvon Martin.

Why are you so convinced that George Zimmerman did not act in self defense? Whether you want to admit it or not, most accounts were that Trayvon Martin was something of a bully and troublemaker. Granted, I'm not saying he deserved to die and that his death was not a tragedy, but without having been there how can you judge? To me, its just something that is being exploited by the left to paint pictures of racism. I actually think George Zimmerman should have handled things differently, not being a cop he probably had no business following Trayvon in the first place, but that doesn't mean he didn't act in self defense.

As for the southern GOP opposing Obama, again by and large that is because of his policies, not his race. If its because his race then why does the Southern GOP endorse people like Tim Scott, Herman Caine, or Allan West?

[–] star_in_the_zenith_79 11 years ago

Gaelin,

There will always be racist idiots. Not disputing that. But its my firm belief that the right wing conservatives who oppose Obama who simply are against his policies far outnumber the bigots who dislike everything he does because of race. There are many who are distressed over this lie being fed to so many that groups like the Tea Party are racist and are just trying to get a message out. I think for the most part its a vicious lie.

The thing is, I can't envision two guys doing something despicable like this sparking a rebirth of the KKK to defend them, nor can I envision anyone seeking the death penalty against Carl Lee in 1996.

[–] kieranlmt 11 years ago

Disagree with 1, agree with you second point

I believe 3 should be true in a sense, it said they could potentially go free. With a crime like that and plenty of proof and a written confession I think you are plenty justified to kill them. Even if they were guaranteed prison, they're going to spend there days living in a room with a bed getting 3 square meals a day still managing to make a wage? F()ck that, bring back the death penalty.

As for 4, I don't think it's unrealistic. If I was in his position, being the family man he was, only able to imagine how hurt Carl Lee was. I'm not saying I'd forgive Carl Lee for taking my leg and job away from me, definitely not. But I wouldn't want to see him go to jail for doing what's right. If anything I'd ask for a separate trial.

One trial for (justified) murders
Another for hurting of an innocent police officer (which he is entirely liable for)

[–] star_in_the_zenith_79 11 years ago

I will concede one point: While I don't believe these two goons would have been acquitted for what they did, I think its entirely possible their sentences would have been to light. However I think this is more because sentences for rape are not steep enough in this country in general, I don't think race would have played a part in it. Often times even brutal rapes like this the perp gets off with two to five years in prison depending on the state, which is a crock.

If this were handled properly, with the charges of both rape and attempted murder carried through, these guys could have easily gotten 25 years to life which would have been fitting.

My other points though I stand by. No DA would seek the death penalty against Carl Lee in the 90's or today, and what little KKK is left radical and idiotic as they are even they don't touch this issue with a ten foot pole. Even the remaining white supremacists probably would have sided with Carl Lee against these two thugs.