Clemency (2019)

Yes Alfre Woodard is one of those actors who is good in everything she does. But there are roles where she truly shines, and this is one of them. She has the kind of rich character which lets her truly shine. She is both restrained and powerful, interior and exterior here. She is a master and in Clemency she shows us how it is done.

Clemency is a character study basically. At its centre is a complicated woman with intersecting commitments and relationships. She is human and strong and vulnerable. She is in the middle of some very difficult moments and has to integrate all of that into her life. She is the kind of character that is just fascinating to watch especially in the hands of such an actor.

Director Chukwu brings a quiet sensibility to her story. She doesn't grandstand, she just lets her strong cast, with Woodard at the centre do what they need to do. And we get glimpses into the characters and their humanity which makes the film truly reach us. There is a lot of heavy stuff going on here and her approach to just let us sit with it is a powerful one.

Clemency
Starring: Alfre Woodard, Wendell Pierce, Aldis Hodge, Richard Schiff, Michael O'Neill
Writer/Director: Chinonye Chukwu