The film, quite simply, is a morality play, and similar to other race related justice movies like Intruder in the Dust, or To Kill a Mockingbird. Reiner brings a well made film that is historically very interesting, but not completely convincing. Maybe the problem lies in the fact that since this story is factual, Reiner withholds emotion from the film in the hope that what will be portrayed, will be the truth.

Whoopi Goldberg plays Mrylie Evers, the widow of the victim. But she seems to be so oppressed by the enormous honor of playing this important role, she forgets to act. Her speech is stilted and she lacks emotion or commitment. Indeed, the only really touching moment she has in the whole film is at the very end when she is too deeply moved to speak. Maybe, however, I am a little harsh on Whoopi, since, on reflection, she really doesn't get to say much at all. In fact, her on screen time is basically restricted to weeping over the body or looking stubborn.

The film, then, becomes the story of Bobby DeLaughter, played by Alec Baldwin. He is the prosecutor in the district attorney's office, who refuses to give up the case. But Baldwin also seems to be in a straight jacket. In the course of the movie, his wife leaves him and he remarries and these two events take all the effort and emotion of opening a can of tuna fish.

The only convincing acting comes from James Woods as de la Beckwith. He is delightfully horrid as the arrogant murderer. And just like in the recent film A Time To Kill de la Beckwith obviously has his supporters, since DeLaughter and his family are threatened and harrassed. One can only wonder how many more de la Beckwiths there are living amongst us.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had the feeling that this film was not about justice or equality or the end of racism in the South, but rather its a feel good movie about white people.

We see two types of whites in this movie. There is the old guard, who eat in country clubs and play bridge in big white houses. Then there is the representatives of the new south, a la the Baldwin character, who would have us believe that racism is being stamped out. But look at the characterization of the African Americans in the film. Whoopi is more like a mule than a woman, and the only other black character is Medgar's brother, who works at a radio station playing the blues. What kinds of stereotypes are they? Why isn't this story told from the eyes of Myrlie Evers, who, incidently, is now the president of NAACP?

This is a film that will make you think. Its well done and informative, but I wonder if it indicates that racism is just as alive today as it ever was.