A must see movie for anyone.

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2009)

I am a movie buff, a movie lover to the fullest and I don't know why I had never watched this film. I watched it last night and it kept me hooked.
I cant say anything great about it that hasn't been said but this drama had so much to offer.
I honestly didn't even know the story, I thought it was about a black man being on trial for something he did to a white person and he was falsely accused. That is what the movie is about, but that is not the story the movie tells.
I am all about hating racism and wanting the world to see the ugliness in judging people, this movie taught a lesson in that but I also admit I don't think you can tell someone that something is wrong without telling them why its wrong and what is right. This movie did a great job of showing so much about a man, about a human being and about how little we know about people. You cant know a man unless you've walked in his shoes.
A movie with no horror, no violence, no romance, no big banner telling you what its about, but you walk away feeling that you understand it better than anything spelled out for you or explained to you. Its not deep its not complex or complicated, it is not simple or taken at face value either, it is just an emotion, an innocent look at something we never see in the people around us...the soul.
The accused can be innocent yet be guilty of seeing himself through the eyes of his accuser and letting fear make him feel he is guilty. A child can be scared and yet brave because curiosity is stronger than fear. A shy man can be a hero and people can turn their backs on doing whats right in favor of doing whats expected.
I cant talk about the movies plot without telling too much, I just tell people to watch it. The movie makes you want to like it. The characters are likable and you watch all that goes on and it just sucks you in. A drama with suspense and a touch of comedy and a lot of heart.
The acting was perfect, those kids were just great and Peck was in this movie what every actor in Hollywood wishes they could be. The directing was so good the way it used the light to build up suspense and the way it took a movie made in the 60s and made it feel like it was made in the 30's. The music was great and it was just a wonderful experience.
Boo Radley is one of the greatest characters ever in a film, I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know more about Boo and I was right there sneaking around and breathing hard with the kids, I was in this film feeling it, I was in the courtroom and in the woods and in the schoolyard...I liked this film a lot.
I found a few little flaws in this film but thats always gonna happen and I know I shouldn't bring that up without explanation but I had to say it wasn't a perfect 10 to me but it was close.