Redemption - The Stan "Tookie" Williams Story (2004)

Didn't meet my expectations

2.5 stars. Nice try, but I wasn't buying Jamie as Tookie. I know the filmmakers are trying to convince the audience that Mr. Williams had paid his debt to society or that he had redeemed himself through his movement to reverse what he'd created. And I believe he did-in a way. But there must be justice for the dead. That's as far as I'm gonna go with that since the point is moot now that Mr. Williams has been executed. As for production, this film felt a little choppy as far as direction and editing. And frankly, there were times when things came across as corny or campy. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed. September 11, 2007

Stanley - death row inmate

I've watch this movie redemption about Stanley Tookie Williams, and I must say the movie isn't half interesting as his book Blue rage black redemptions, this movie dosn't tell half of what happen while incarserated and they use Jamie Foxx voice in the movie to doub his (Stanley Williams) voice from the movie to a actual interview with Amy in an CNN interview shortly before his death. I don't think that was fair regardless of what he did, he did the timing behind bars and he deserve to be heard with his natrual voice, not Jamie Foxx, please buy the book it move touching and natural.
July 23, 2007

IT WAS O.K.!!!!!

THIS MOVIE WAS O.K. SO MANY PEOPLE TOLD ME TO GET THIS MOVIE. SO I DECIDED TO GET IT AND WATCH THIS MOVIE. I WAS EXPECTING A LITTLE BIT MORE. U KNOW SHOWIN WHEN HE WAS ON THE STREETS AND WHEN THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOUSE TO ARREST HIM, JUST MORE OF WHAT HE WAS DOING BEFORE HE GOT PUT ON DEATHROW. BUT IT WAS GOOD HE REALLY DID CHANGE WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON. BUT ONCE AGAIN I WANTED MORE. AND I DIDNT LIKE THE WAY IT ENDED. COULD HAVE ENDED A LITTLE BIT BETTER........UR GIRL JENN***** July 4, 2007

Fantastic docu-drama

This is a fantastic "docu-drama" which captures the essence of the life of Stan "Tookie" Williams, executed by the State of California on December 22, 2005. Williams co-founded the notoriously violent Crips street gang in Los Angeles before eventually being sent to death row over the murders of four people in 1979 (a charge he always denied).

The film, starring Jamie Foxx as Williams, focuses on Tookie's death row experience where he begins to take stock of his negative achievements in life. From there, Tookie embarks on an ambitious project of writing children's books aimed at steering youth clear of gangs. By banking on his street credentials as the world's toughest gangster he catches the attention of youth in a way that parents, teachers and police officers cannot and even brings Crips and Bloods together at peace rallies.

This is a well-acted drama that closely follows real-life events in its study of Tookie's transformation. The film also raises serious questions about Tookie's subsequent execution despite his valiant efforts to right his earlier wrongs, his claim to innocence and his multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. If California would execute this man despite his activism (or because of it...), then who can ever claim to have truly achieved redemption? January 24, 2007

Awakening...

I enjoyed this movie greatly, it was a true awakening. Passion and a love for life is seen even in the darkest of time. His story has helped many people make better decisions about their life, making his life a master piece and a great source of enlightment. January 3, 2007

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