A Time to Kill

A Time to Kill

You wouldn't know it by watching the Batman movies they collaborated on, but this smart adaptation of John Grisham's novel proves that director Joel Schumacher and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman have some talent when the right project comes along. Schumacher had previously directed Grisham's The Client, and brought equal craft and intelligence to this story about a young Southern attorney (Matthew McConaughey, in his breakthrough role) who defends a black father (Samuel L. Jackson) after he kills two men who raped his young daughter. Sandra Bullock plays the passionate law student who serves as McConaughey's legal aide and voice of conscience in the racially charged drama. Added to the star power of the lead roles is a fine supporting cast, including Kevin Spacey, Ashley Judd, and Oliver Platt. --Jeff Shannon

Year:
1996
8,162 Views

Jake Tyler Brigance:
We're going to lose this case, Carl lee. There are no more points of law to argue here. I want to cope a plea, maybe Buckley will cop us a second degree murder and we can get you just life in prison.

Carl Lee Hailey:
Jake, I can't do no life in prison. You got to get me off. Now if it was you on trial...

Jake Tyler Brigance:
It's not me, we're not the same, Carl Lee. The jury has to identify with the defendant. They see you, they see a yardworker; they see me, they see an attorney. I live in town, you live in the hill.

Carl Lee Hailey:
Well, you are white and I'm black. See Jake, you think just like them, that's why I picked you; you are one of them , don't you see?. Oh, you think you ain't because you eat in Claude's and you are out there trying to get me off on TV talking about black and white, but the fact is you are just like all the rest of them. When you look at me, you don't see a man, you see a black man.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Carl Lee, I'm your friend.

Carl Lee Hailey:
We ain't no friends, Jake. We are on different sides of the line, I ain't never seen you in my part of town. I bet you don't even know where I live. Our daughters, Jake; they ain't never gonna play together.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
What are you talking about?

Carl Lee Hailey:
America is a wall and you are on the other side. How's a black man ever going to get a fair trial with the enemy on the bench and in the jury box?. My life in white hands? You Jake, that's how. You are my secret weapon because you are one of the bad guys. You don't mean to be but you are. It's how you was raised. N*gger, negro, black, African-american, no matter how you see me, you see me different, you see me like that jury sees me, you are them. Now throw out your points of law Jake. If you was on that jury, what would it take to convince you to set me free? That's how you save my ass. That's how you save us both.

Carl Lee:
Ask if he thinks I should go to jail.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Carl Lee, they amputated his leg because you shot him. He's the prosecution's witness.

Carl Lee:
You're my lawyer ain't ya? Ask him.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Your Honor, one question.

Judge Omar Noose:
Make up your mind, Mr. Brigance.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Deputy Looney, do you think Carl Lee shooting you was intentional?

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
No sir. It was an accident.

Carl Lee:
Ask him!

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Do you think he should be punished for shooting you?

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
No, sir. I hold no ill will toward the man. He did what I would have done.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
What do you mean by that?

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
I mean, I don't blame him for what he did. Those boys raped his little girl.

D.A. Rufus Buckley:
Objection, your Honor! The witness's opinion on this matter is irrelevant.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Your Honor, I belive Deputy Looney has earned the right to speak here today.

Judge Omar Noose:
Overruled. Continue.

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Go ahead, Dwayne.

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
I got a little girl. Somebody rapes her, he's a dead dog. I'll blow him away just like Carl Lee did.

D.A. Rufus Buckley:
Objection your Honor!

Jake Tyler Brigance:
Do you think the jury should convict Carl Lee Hailey?

Judge Omar Noose:
Don't answer that question.

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
He's a hero. You turn him loose.

Judge Omar Noose:
The jury will disregard...

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
Turn him loose!

D.A. Rufus Buckley:
Your honor, you silent that witness!

Deputy Dwayne Powell Looney:
You turn him loose!


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