Posted by She Said on February 18, 2002 at 13:41:11:
Rate this a tentative 7 out of 10 because Halle Berry's performance is worth seeing. The story is slow to evolve but you get glimpses of why the characters react the way they do from the limited dialog and situations. The story is ongoing racial conflict in the Georgia countryside on one level, and on another it's people trying to find their own voice in spite of parental pressure or racial stereotypes. It shows us people CAN make a difference in another's life and words DO hurt as much as a loaded gun.
Story line is basically a three generation family of prison guards whose lives are radically changed when a black prisoner is executed and the widow comes into their lives by accident. Not really a 'prison' movie, however, more a 'people relationship' movie. Rated R but parts should probably be 'X', but they are pertinent to the story.