One of the most fundamental foundations of the legal system – known as the Blackstone ratio because of 18th-century English jurist William Blackstone – is that it is better for 10 guilty persons to get away free than for one innocent man to suffer. Even with that guiding principle, there are an estimated 120,000 innocent people in prison.
“Crown Heights” looks at one such case.
The film from director Matt Ruskin (“Booster”) is based on the true story of Colin Warner, a native of Trinidad living near Crown Heights, who was tried and convicted in 1980 for a murder he didn’t commit. It was only through the relentless efforts of his best friend to get the sentence overturned that Warner became a free man after more than two decades in prison.
Ruskin, who also wrote the script, does an excellent job taking the story from the arrest to the release. He provides great detail of how the police were so determined to solve the murder, they manipulated testimony and manufactured eyewitness accounts. The film also follows Carl King (Nnamdi Asomugha) as he takes any small opening to seek out the truth in regards to his childhood friend.
All of this takes place as Warner (Lakeith Stanfield) — whose biggest crime had been being a two-bit thief — must deal with the brutal life behind bars. It’s an emotional and physical journey that tries to change Warner but he survives by clinging to the undeniable truth that he did not commit the crime for which he was found guilty.
Stanfield’s performance is the solid foundation for the film. He’s required to go from a wide-eyed innocent to a man with no energy to keep fighting and Stanfield responds with a performance that is so rich in honesty that the only person who could have done the role with more authenticity would have been the real Warner.
Equally strong is Asomugha who brings a quiet courage to his performance. He makes it very easy to believe that his character would be so motivated by his frustrations with the legal system and his fears that another such a travesty could befall him or other innocent people that no obstacle in his search for truth and justice will make him waiver. What Ruskin has presented is a story that is as compelling as it is necessary.
Ruskin’s direction and story are a little rushed as he skips through 20 years of history and events. He does toss in a few scenes that point to the changes in political views as to the necessity to get tougher on crime. But none of that is mixed well enough with Warner’s story.
The director also rushes to get to the end. It’s only through a parole hearing that it’s revealed Warner has had to take on a mantel of violence to survive.
As for the general look of the production, Ruskin’s approach is very basic and he never ventures to push the camera into more interesting angles. He methodically links together the necessary scenes to tell the story. “Crown Heights” ends up being a film that will cause conversations as soon as it’s seen but doesn’t have the visual sizzle to give it a more lasting feel.
The fact that “Crown Heights” is casting light on such a horrid miscarriage of justice is worth praise. And if that wasn’t enough, the production gets a boost from standout performances by Stanfield and Asomugha. Both are enough to make “Crown Heights” worthy of the time and attention it is bringing to a story that needs to be told.
MOVIE REVIEW
“Crown Heights”
Grade: B
Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Nnamdi Asomugha and Natalie Paul. Directed by Matt Ruskin.
Rated R for language, nudity, violence. Check listings for theaters. 1 hour, 39 minutes.
Bottom line: Based on a true story, this film will cause conversations
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