Masterpiece of ambivalence

Rating: 8/10 (21 June 2000)

Tom Hanks highlights a cast of familiar faces (but not names in most cases) in a film that may be taken as both a protest and a vindication of the death penalty. This confusing mixed-message leaves one wondering what the point is, other than to deftly manipulate our reservations about an issue that has been controversial (to everyone other than presidential candidates) since Biblical times. And while the story absorbs and the performances are convincing, so often the plot turns are implausible to the point of absurdity. To imagine this many prison guards having hearts of gold just stretches incredulity.