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Trial by Fire

2019

Edward Zwick

Jack O'Connell, Laura Dern, Emily Meade, Chris Coy ...

6.2

605

Drama The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in Texas for killing his three children after scientific evidence and expert testimony that bolstered his claims of innocence were suppressed.

	Media	Author	Review
		Amy Nicholson Variety	"Despite strong performances from Laura Dern and Jack O'Connell, this infamous real-life arson trial is more thrilling in print than on film"
		Benjamin Lee The Guardian	"The film’s old-fashioned nature is a plus and a minus, delivering us the satisfying beats we’ve come to expect from such a story, yet also giving it a dusty, dated feel (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"
		Mike D'Angelo AV Club	"[It] turns a compelling real-life tragedy into just another docudrama (...) The film plods its way interminably through the basic details of the case"
		Michael O'Sullivan The Washington Post	"'Trial by Fire' never really stirs up much outrage or sadness, although it tries. It’s a good story, not a great one, that generates fire, but no heat (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 4)"
		Todd McCarthy The Hollywood Reporter	"The notes the film hits play straight into the hands of the already convinced and are unlikely to change anyone’s mind about the issue (...) The filmmaking here is plain, prosaic and earnest"
		David Ehrlich IndieWire	"Ed Zwick's furious new film stumbles as a drama, but Laura Dern and Jack O'Connell make it a compelling argument against the death penalty."
		Carlos Aguilar The Wrap	"Laura Dern is perfection, but this true story avoids going too deep into questions about class and race"

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