Twelve Angry Men Directed by Sidney Lamet: Analyze the Evidence and Argue For or Against Reasonable Doubt As It Is Portrayed In The Film
The story looks at twelve jurors about to make the biggest decision of their lives. All the evidence seems overwhelming that a Hispanic teenager killed his father after a violent argument. However, one of the basic tenets of the American justice system is "reasonable doubt." If there is any reason to doubt the evidence, then the jury must acquit the defendant, as there is no irrefutable evidence he or she committed the crime. In this case, the boy may have indeed murdered his father. However, so many details are left hanging in the prosecution that doubt exists in one juror's mind, and it begins to infect the others.First, the film shows the diversity of the American people and culture. While the jury is all white and all male, the diversity of the men indicates the differences between people and their ideals. There are business owners, professionals, salesmen, and retirees on the jury, and like their professions, each one of them brings something different to the table and to the deliberations. Some are fair and open-minded, while others are racist, angry, and unreasonable. Each one has his own idea about the guilt or innocence of the boy, and each one must be convinced by Juror Number 8 to change his vote. Is this fa
There is something else flawed in the jury system that this film does not explore, but anyone who has been called for jury duty knows. They know the boy's life is on the line, but many of them seem more interested in their own ideas and petty needs, rather than coming to the right decision, and that points to flaws in the judicial system. One of the most interesting aspects of the film is watching the jurors slowly change their minds and positions. Simpson case, with the famous statement, "if the glove does not fit, you must acquit. There are many questions such as these raised by the actions of the jurors. In addition, jurors receive minimal compensation for their services, (as little as $12 a day in many cases). A jury should not be able to convict a person based on "gut instinct" alone. Thus, the boy is at the mercy of a system that seems jaded, burned out, and even resentful of trying him in the first place. Thus, the stage is set for the twelve men to come to a decision. Jury service has been called a "duty" and a "pleasure," but for the average American, it is not only an inconvenience, it can have serious financial consequences. The judge has clearly served on the bench a long time, and seems disinterested and bored by the proceedings. Justice may have prevailed in the O. Too many questions were still left unanswered, and they may have sent a killer back on the streets to kill again, or at least commit other violent crimes.
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Acceptance Essays
