Felon is a moralistic movie about a guy that is sentenced to prison cause of some circumstance which is best described as 'being at the wrong place at the wrong time', together with an action that is very understandable, but very unfortunate. Most of it takes place in a US penal institution and i don't know enough about that to reflect on it being correct. It probably differs from state to state and from prison to prison and even from one part of a prison to another, but looking at the movies and documentaries about US penal institutions, its probably not far of. I wouldn't last a day if i were ever sent into one of those and i really sympathize with any person who is penalized because of an error, corruption, or some grey area that is judged hard but from what everyone thinks it wasn't that bad. That last thing is what this movie is about and without getting too deep into who is to blame for what, i would like to quote Dostojevski - i think- who said that 'you can judge any society by its prisoners'.
The filmmakers obviously wanted to address this issue, since the movie is all about that and ends with 'in 2008 there are 2.3 million people in US prisons'
It is appalling to think that a portion of these people are wrongfully committed. (probably 10's of thousands)
So as far as the story goes; this is really worth a view. Acting is great, specially Val Kilmer who i hardly recognized, but plays magnificent. I cant think of anything bad to say about this movie. You have to see it.
Its very sad that ones life can be ruined just in a second, by some coincidence. The movie ends well, so we can all sleep good, but its a movie. Most people that get in like that, never get out, partly because they don't know the scene, don't know how to fight in that world and if they do, they will never be the same again.
The American penal system isn't made to put people back in society. On the contrary, it criminalizes people.
Edit: 2019
I said i would never survive. Unfortunately i ended up in prison in 2012, for 3+ years. In NL, not US, but still. I survived. Don't ask... My respect for ppl that are not real criminals only increased due to this. I watched the movie again afterwards. Thank god i didnt have to fight for my life literally. But yea, the setting is pretty realistic apart from that. I could actually smell it again. Its a mix of fear and agression and sweat and farts and pee and poo and cum and god knows what else. Most ppl keep some hygienic standards up, or try to. Some just lay in their own filth, which is shuffled and hosed out once a year or smth. Not a place you want to go. But i guess it would be good for everyone to experience it for a month or smth. If not for a lesson in life, power of the state and such, to build up some mental strength and appreciate a decent cup of coffee. What can i say?
I never thought i would end up there. Got through using my wits and had to bluff 2 times to get the predators off my back. Used my conviction as a deterent too. I guess im traumatised. Ironically, it was trauma that got me in there to begin with. Not illogical i guess. Its the dehumanisation that gets to you more than anything i think. (unless ofc you literally have to fight for you life)
I dont think any movie can ever capture it for what it is. Most is boredom i guess. Sitting staring at a locked door. hour after hour. day after day. year after year.
No you cannot imagine what it is, unless youve been there. Similarly i cannot imagine what it is to know youll be there for the rest of your life. Or waiting to be executed. I dont even want to think about it anymore. Dont even presume you can approach knowing what it is. You dont.
The filmmakers obviously wanted to address this issue, since the movie is all about that and ends with 'in 2008 there are 2.3 million people in US prisons'
It is appalling to think that a portion of these people are wrongfully committed. (probably 10's of thousands)
So as far as the story goes; this is really worth a view. Acting is great, specially Val Kilmer who i hardly recognized, but plays magnificent. I cant think of anything bad to say about this movie. You have to see it.
Its very sad that ones life can be ruined just in a second, by some coincidence. The movie ends well, so we can all sleep good, but its a movie. Most people that get in like that, never get out, partly because they don't know the scene, don't know how to fight in that world and if they do, they will never be the same again.
The American penal system isn't made to put people back in society. On the contrary, it criminalizes people.
Edit: 2019
I said i would never survive. Unfortunately i ended up in prison in 2012, for 3+ years. In NL, not US, but still. I survived. Don't ask... My respect for ppl that are not real criminals only increased due to this. I watched the movie again afterwards. Thank god i didnt have to fight for my life literally. But yea, the setting is pretty realistic apart from that. I could actually smell it again. Its a mix of fear and agression and sweat and farts and pee and poo and cum and god knows what else. Most ppl keep some hygienic standards up, or try to. Some just lay in their own filth, which is shuffled and hosed out once a year or smth. Not a place you want to go. But i guess it would be good for everyone to experience it for a month or smth. If not for a lesson in life, power of the state and such, to build up some mental strength and appreciate a decent cup of coffee. What can i say?
I never thought i would end up there. Got through using my wits and had to bluff 2 times to get the predators off my back. Used my conviction as a deterent too. I guess im traumatised. Ironically, it was trauma that got me in there to begin with. Not illogical i guess. Its the dehumanisation that gets to you more than anything i think. (unless ofc you literally have to fight for you life)
I dont think any movie can ever capture it for what it is. Most is boredom i guess. Sitting staring at a locked door. hour after hour. day after day. year after year.
No you cannot imagine what it is, unless youve been there. Similarly i cannot imagine what it is to know youll be there for the rest of your life. Or waiting to be executed. I dont even want to think about it anymore. Dont even presume you can approach knowing what it is. You dont.