The Sentence Movie Review

Directed by Rudy Valdez, The Sentence is a 2018 American documentary film. Produced by Park Pictures and distributed by HBO, Rudy Valdez heads cinematography and Sam Bisbee in charge of music.

Plot

Filmmaker Rudy Valdez shows the fallout from his sister Cindy's 15-year sentence relating to charges concerning drugs. The documentary shows the events transpiring after a seemingly unfair sentence through the lens of a loving, supportive brother, raising questions about the American justice system and the importance of family values.

Star Performance

The cast comprises real characters portraying their authentic selves, such as Cindy Shank and Eric Sterling.

Analysis

This documentary film is an emotional, touching perspective on a serious situation that undoubtedly affects millions worldwide. Revolving around his sister and how their family was affected after her sentence for drug dealing, the film operates more on the feelings factor than it does on an accurate representation of facts. The film brings out the morally wrong aspect of mandatory minimum laws against non-violent offenders, but it does not cover this aspect nor stresses enough on the practicalities of this wrongness. From an objective standpoint, this film might feel like a warped take on reality owing to the emotional, personal portrayal of the situation at hand instead of a pragmatic version. At it's core, it's a riveting, touching story of family bonds,unconditional support and sacrifice. The impact that a single wrong decision can have on a person's life and change the course of their lives forever is one of the major themes of the film.

What’s There?

• Emotional, raw, heartfelt
• Tragic but authentic
• A play-by-play on actual events that transpired

What’s Not There?

• Personal, not really objective
• The events in the film are rushed; not enough has been covered
• The narrative deals more with the emotional response and feelings than it does with other aspects of the film

Verdict

This documentary is a powerful, raw insight into the lives of real people and the impact some decisions can have on their lives. If you're more invested in the unraveling of the legal processes and a transparent perspective on the film's events, it might come across as overly sympathetic and tedious. However, if you're a sucker for emotional, heartfelt movies, then this documentary is for you!