Strong performances by Sarandon (who won a Best Actress Oscar) and Penn anchor this sobering story which, despite the humanizing of its central character, is not a simple pro- or anti-death penalty treatise.

great performances and social commentary

This is such a powerful film. One of the best things a film can do is make us question and reflect on our beliefs. Dead Man Walking powerfully forces this reflection through its engrossing story and superb performances by Sarandon and Penn. It focuses a little too much on the religious side of things for my liking, but this is definitely worth a watch.

Imagine if Tom Hanks had been cast in the lead role. We'd be instantly predisposed to sympathize with his death-row inmate character. With the casting of the mercurial Sean Penn, we must overcome our initial distrust and prejudice of the character to recognize the humanity that lies beneath. Such is the journey undertaken by Sister Helen, who exemplifies Christian models of charity and love. The film never missteps into mawkishness or didacticism. It's not an issue movie, but a philosophy movie.

Although strongly against the death penalty, this viewer could not overlook the sloppy intercutting, insipid use of slow motion and obvious symbolism - a skill needed to enjoy this film. For a much more subtle and effective take on the death penalty, I recommend Kieslowski.

A good earnest anti-death-penalty with an excellent Sarandon performance and a superb performance by Sean Penn.

Sarandon acts as if she's been a nun all her life. And Penn is on top form, he's had practise being a convict, but here he actually makes a murderer seem sympathetic.

Very strong and very watchable examination of capital punishment