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A Time to Kill
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20

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  1. vbee
    Feb 13, 2007
    5
    This movie is too stupid to address the issues it's about.
    • 0 of 2 users said yes
  2. JaredB.
    Mar 31, 2008
    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
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
54 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Anthony Puccinelli
    10
    Like many artists today, Grisham and Schumacher exploit racial tension without understanding it.
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  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    A Time to Kill, based on the first novel by John Grisham, is a skillfully constructed morality play that pushes all the right buttons and arrives at all the right conclusions.
    Read full review
  3. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    75
    Then again, it's worth noting that this Hollywood production is actually saying something, rather than just churning out eye-popping special effects while relying on a regurgitated plot.
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