Dead Man Walking
Dead Man Walking
The film, Dead Man Walking was made in 1995, and was adopted from Sister Helen Prejean 's 1993 autobiographical book, which has the same title. It examines one of the most highly debated controversial issues of our time - capital punishment. Since the protagonist of a film is regarded as the "good guy," I would apply this label to Sister Helen Prajean, played by Susan Sarandon, and that of the antagonist, or the "bad guy" to Matthew Poncelet, played by Sean Penn. However, even though Sean Penn is definitely the "bad guy," by definition, my feelings changed as the film progressed with Sean 's eventual understanding of the "enormity of his transgression." (Rozan, 17) The story presented in the film attracts the viewer because of the strong emotions, which are evoked by the violence of the murder and rape, but also by the actors themselves. The issues of crime and punishment are examined from multiple viewpoints - the victim 's family members, the killers, society, the lawyer, and a melding of all views within the religious conviction portrayed by Susan Sarandon. Your feelings go through many changes, as each view is examined and reexamined, as the story unfolds with more and more information concerning the actual crime and the events prior, during, and after its commission. The film unfolds with Penn 's emotions moving from "defiance to remorse," (Rozan, 17) without actually providing a absolute judgment to the viewer, as to whether capital punishment is right or wrong-good or evil. As Sarandon tells Penn "There are spaces of sorrow only God can touch." (Rozan, 17). The concepts of good and evil are clearly defined within the context of the film by the parameters of our criminal justice system and society in general. A very clear message is given-the perpetrator of such heinous crimes will pay with his life. This view is not challenged by the film. The concept of capital punishment, however, is questioned, as the "workings"
The film, Dead Man Walking was made in 1995, and was adopted from Sister Helen Prejean 's 1993 autobiographical book, which has the same title. It examines one of the most highly debated controversial issues of our time - capital punishment. Since the protagonist of a film is regarded as the "good guy," I would apply this label to Sister Helen Prajean, played by Susan Sarandon, and that of the antagonist, or the "bad guy" to Matthew Poncelet, played by Sean Penn. However, even though Sean Penn is definitely the "bad guy," by definition, my feelings changed as the film progressed with Sean 's eventual understanding of the "enormity of his transgression." (Rozan, 17) The story presented in the film attracts the viewer because of the strong emotions, which are evoked by the violence of the murder and rape, but also by the actors themselves. The issues of crime and punishment are examined from multiple viewpoints - the victim 's family members, the killers, society, the lawyer, and a melding of all views within the religious conviction portrayed by Susan Sarandon. Your feelings go through many changes, as each view is examined and reexamined, as the story unfolds with more and more information concerning the actual crime and the events prior, during, and after its commission. The film unfolds with Penn 's emotions moving from "defiance to remorse," (Rozan, 17) without actually providing a absolute judgment to the viewer, as to whether capital punishment is right or wrong-good or evil. As Sarandon tells Penn "There are spaces of sorrow only God can touch." (Rozan, 17). The concepts of good and evil are clearly defined within the context of the film by the parameters of our criminal justice system and society in general. A very clear message is given-the perpetrator of such heinous crimes will pay with his life. This view is not challenged by the film. The concept of capital punishment, however, is questioned, as the "workings"