"12 Angry Men" Is it worth the watch?

We’re back in black and white this week friends! To be specific, a courtroom in 1957 in New York City. Wait! Don’t run off just yet! Let’s cover the basics. OH! Light spoilers ahead. “12 Angry Men” follows 12 jurors while they determine if a teenager is guilty or innocent of first-degree murder. Added point: if they determine he’s guilty, the kid will be sentenced to death in the electric chair. Intense to say the least. My first thought: I was excited to watch it. I’ve been on a big black and white film kick. If you’re looking for a thriller/drama, do yourself a favor and check out “Autumn Leaves” starring Joan Crawford. Anywho. Back to the movie at hand. The running time is a little over an hour and a half. I’m trying to think of the last great movie I saw that was an hour and a half long. I’m at a loss. I miss when movies could be great and be less than two hours. On to the plot of the movie.  

After closing remarks, all of the jurors filed into a little room to decide the fate of this young kid. We only see one scene with the kid. His eyes are filled with sorrow, sadness, and obviously fear. I mean wouldn’t you be afraid too? His whole life is being held in their hands. These guys that he doesn’t know and will probably never see again after this trial are deciding if he’ll live or die. Crazy. Let’s talk about the setting. The whole movie takes place in this one basic room. I mean really basic. The room has a table with 12 chairs, two windows, and a bathroom. It was also beyond hot that day, and the fan in the room wasn’t working. This little fact is used in such a neat way throughout the whole movie. As the day rolls on and the men are stuck in this room, they become more agitated. It adds an unforeseen emotional risk factor. Very cool use of the temp of the day. The simplicity of the room pairs well with the complexity of the case. It not only makes sense, but it allows the script and actors to just shine. 

Henry Fonda (yes! Jane Fonda’s dad) stars as Juror #8. When I say stars I mean he SHINES! He is tempered, inquisitive, and confident. Also, he is the only juror who stood up for the kid from start to finish. What’s so great about his character is that he seems to be genuinely seeking the truth, and trying to understand the kid who was being tried. There are about five jurors in the room who have decided that anyone who believes this kid is innocent is not only an idiot but is ruining the rest of their summer day. Juror #8 convinces the other jurors to spend at least one hour talking about the case. He stood up when no one else would, and he did so unapologetically. It is not only brave, but it makes you think. Ya know. Would you stand up for someone you don’t know when everyone else is telling you, “You're stupid if you disagree”? 

There are a couple of antagonists. Juror #3 and Juror #10 are the guys that suck the most in my opinion. The thing is the guys in this room are not long gone. Sure the actors have passed on, but their beliefs persist. For good and for evil. Let’s talk about Juror #9. He was the older one of the group. His reads on the witnesses were AMAZING. He exemplified the wisdom that age brings. He was able to see people for more than how they presented themselves. He was able to see the motives the witnesses may have had. He was able to see more than meets the eye. He saw past how the witnesses wanted to be perceived. Absolutely fascinating. I was LOCKED in whenever he was speaking. He was also the first person to switch from a guilty to a not guilty verdict. He was willing to learn and share what he was thinking. 

This movie has made its way to my top ten. It was fascinating from beginning to end. The fact that it comments on discrimination, prejudice, and biases without acknowledging the lack of diversity in the room itself adds an undeniable meta factor. It’s a powerful and sad lack of self-awareness. Sometimes, the most powerful parts of a movie are the ideologies that seep onto the screen that contradict the altruistic nature of the film itself. If you can’t tell, I highly recommend you watch this movie. If you’re looking for the right atmosphere, watch it on a hot and rainy evening to really immerse yourself in the day these guys had. Go to your kitchen and make some kind of tea, maybe Earl Grey. Watch it with people you can talk about it with and not just people who agree with you. Watch it with people you don’t always agree with you. Watch it to learn, grow, and enjoy. 

Photo from IMDb