There's a new entry in my canon of great legal movies—Just Mercy, which opened nationwide on Jan. 10.

The movie depicts Equal Justice Initiative director Bryan Stevenson's fight to win exoneration for Alabama Death Row inmate Walter McMillian. 

In 1988, McMillian, who is black, was convicted of killing an 18-year-old white girl based on testimony from a single white man, Ralph Myers—a career criminal who cut a deal with the DA, but subsequently recanted his account in its entirety—and despite multiple (black) alibi witnesses who said McMillian was at a fish fry at the time of the murder. 

The Brady violations were appalling—including a taped interview where Myers complained about being forced to testify against McMillian, whom he did not know, about a crime that he didn't commit.

The story is a reminder of the power lawyers wield—for both good and ill—in administering justice.  

It's also a reminder that movies and books matter. I'm surprised how many lawyers over the years have told me that they were first inspired to go to law school by Atticus Finch. The funny (not funny) thing about McMillian's case is that the murder happened in Monroeville, Alabama—the home of Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird.

I saw the movie with my 17-year-old daughter, who now wants to become a lawyer and fight injustice. (That's what lawyers all do, right? Right?)

I doubt she's the only person who'll come away similarly inspired.  At our theatre, people (including me) were audibly crying in places—the scene depicting the execution of Herbert Richardson is truly harrowing. I defy anyone who sees it to come away supporting the death penalty. At the end of the film, the entire theatre erupted in applause, which is not something I've ever encountered at our local cineplex.  

Seriously, go see Just Mercy. The story may feel familiar but the delivery is powerful and deeply moving.