To Kill a Mockingbird
Movie Review by: Bridgett Vincent, Frederick Community College

The film "To Kill a Mockingbird" which is based on the novel of the same name by Harper Lee is a wonderful movie that can at times be uplifting and at others, disturbing. A film that can make you feel so many emotions in such a short period of time is in my opinion, very effective.

The film is narrarated by Scout, a young girl who lives with her father, Atticus who is a local lawyer in the small, Alabama town and her older brother Jem. During the course of this film, both Scout and Jem learn countless life-lessons. They observe the trial of an African American man accused or raping a white woman whom their father is defending. During the film, Jem insists on being a part of this trial whether it's by standing by his father as he's preventing a lynch mob or observing the trial of Tom Robinson or by going with his father to inform the accused's family that he has been killed. Jem insists upon being a part of each of these unpleasant occurences and standing by his father.

Scout also learns a life's lesson. She is taught by her father about social inequality and class discrimination. She also learns that the mentally ill are just as deserving of respect and dignity as you and I. In the end, she befriends the mysterious Boo Radley (in one of the most affecting scenes in the film, Atticus corrects her by introducing the man as Arthur Radley).

This film is our generations greatest example of social justice and making a difference in this world. I'm now anxious to read Harper Lee's novel.