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Trial by Fire has a worthy -- and heartbreaking -- story to tell, but this well-acted dramatization is undermined by its aggressively manipulative approach.
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All Critics (66) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (26)
Powerful stuff, but unpowerfully told, in part because the energies in "Trial by Fire" are split between proving Todd Willingham's innocence and building an argument against the death penalty no matter what the verdict. May 24, 2019 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…
Powerful stuff, but unpowerfully told, in part because the energies in "Trial by Fire" are split between proving Todd Willingham's innocence and building an argument against the death penalty no matter what the verdict.
Ty Burr
It's a powerful enough viewing experience, but it doesn't leave you with much hope for what to do about injustice. May 23, 2019 | Full Review…
It's a powerful enough viewing experience, but it doesn't leave you with much hope for what to do about injustice.
M. Faust
The movie is painstakingly well made and murderously hard to sit through. May 20, 2019 | Full Review…
The movie is painstakingly well made and murderously hard to sit through.
David Edelstein
There's that masterpiece of a micro-performance by Jeff Perry, in that single scene. That alone is worth the price of admission. May 17, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
There's that masterpiece of a micro-performance by Jeff Perry, in that single scene. That alone is worth the price of admission.
Richard Roeper
O'Connell and Dern, meanwhile, find the common ground in their characters that keeps "Trial by Fire" simmering. May 17, 2019 | Rating: B | Full Review…
O'Connell and Dern, meanwhile, find the common ground in their characters that keeps "Trial by Fire" simmering.
Adam Graham
The film plods at points, trudging along, and there are a few misguided narrative 'devices' tacked on. May 17, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
The film plods at points, trudging along, and there are a few misguided narrative 'devices' tacked on.
Sheila O'Malley
The actress (Dern) brings her trademark intelligence and tenacity to the character, and the film also features strong supporting performances. June 4, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
The actress (Dern) brings her trademark intelligence and tenacity to the character, and the film also features strong supporting performances.
Bruce Fretts
Sadly, this cinematic retelling of a truly appalling story is too often hamstrung by its predictability and overreliance on the audience's outrage at Willingham's plight. May 31, 2019 | Full Review…
Sadly, this cinematic retelling of a truly appalling story is too often hamstrung by its predictability and overreliance on the audience's outrage at Willingham's plight.
Donovan Farley
Excellent performances by Laura Dern and Jack O'Connell lend credence to this message movie. May 24, 2019 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…
Excellent performances by Laura Dern and Jack O'Connell lend credence to this message movie.
Jackie K. Cooper
Despite its clumsy first-act emphasis on exposition and excessive length, the story is important and Dern deserves a nomination for almost single-handedly saving the film with her committed and engaging performance. May 23, 2019 | Full Review…
Despite its clumsy first-act emphasis on exposition and excessive length, the story is important and Dern deserves a nomination for almost single-handedly saving the film with her committed and engaging performance.
Jean Lowerison
Earnest, old-fashioned social-justice drama focuses on the death penalty from the 'what if we execute an innocent person?' angle, with hugely engaging performances by Jack O'Connell and Laura Dern. May 23, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
Earnest, old-fashioned social-justice drama focuses on the death penalty from the 'what if we execute an innocent person?' angle, with hugely engaging performances by Jack O'Connell and Laura Dern.
MaryAnn Johanson
So I want to warn the rest of you: Watching this film felt like having rocks thrown at my face. It's effective filmmaking, I'll give it that, and O'Connell's performance as scumbag-turned-sympathetic-scumbag is one of the best I've seen. May 22, 2019 | Full Review…
So I want to warn the rest of you: Watching this film felt like having rocks thrown at my face. It's effective filmmaking, I'll give it that, and O'Connell's performance as scumbag-turned-sympathetic-scumbag is one of the best I've seen.
Elinor Jones
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