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A Time to Kill
A Time to Kill Image
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Metascore
54 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Kevin Spacey, Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock
  • Summary: A murder trial brings a small Mississippi town's racial tensions to the flashpoint. Amid a frenzy of activist marches, Klan terror, media clamor and brutal riots, an unseasoned but idealistic young attorney mounts a stirring courtroom battle for justice. (Warner Bros.)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    90
    If the film doesn't add up to a cogent legal argument, neither does it have trouble delivering 2 hours and 20 minutes' worth of sturdy, highly charged drama.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    60
    Oblivious to niceties like subtlety, plausibility and discretion, it rushes heedlessly toward its destination of audience arousal. Like a flood, the impact is undeniable but it's not something everyone will want to get in the way of. [24Jul1996 Pg. F.01]
    All this critic's reviews
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff(not credited)
    38
    A Time to Kill seems to argue that America's racial problems aren't so bad because, even in the heart of bigoted Mississippi, a black man can get away with murder.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JaredB.
    10
    I have seen almost every one of the movies that have been adapted from John Grishams novels. This is, by a longshot, the best one. Samuel L. Jackson plays Carl Lee, a black man whose daughter is brutally raped by two racist rednecks. As the rapists are being brought to their arraignment, Carl Lee steps in and shoots them both, killing them. Carl Lee is then arrested and charged with murder. He picks Jake Brigance, brilliantly played by Matthew McConaughey, to defend him. When Brigance agrees, he finds himself spending more time on the case, and less time on other things, like his family. This puts a major strain on his marriage. I also liked Sandra Bullock as Ellen Roark, a Boston Law student who badly wants to help. I can't reveal the end of the movie, because then, I'd spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. If you havent yet seen this movie I strongly recommend it. Be warned, however, that, because of some violence and graphic descriptions of rape, this movie is NOT for very young children. Personally, I absolutely adored this film.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. vbee
    5
    This movie is too stupid to address the issues it's about.
    • 0 of 2 users said yes

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