Dead Man Walking

Dallas Observer by

Dead Man Walking drops a massive, writhing knot of sorrow in your lap and then doesn't tell you what to do with it. If that doesn't sound like entertainment to you, you're right. It does something far more profound: It finds the tragic universal core of a contentious issue.

Newsweek by David Ansen

No simple diatribe against capital punishment, it's a strong film, made stronger by two terrific performances.

Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt

The movie is often preachy and self-conscious, especially in long dialogue scenes, where Robbins's inexpert scriptwriting makes people talk at instead of with each other. Yet the picture's solid assets enable it to soar above such problems, both intellectually and emotionally. [29 December 1995, Film, p.13]

Washington Post by Desson Thomson

An extremely affecting experience, down to the last agonizing moment.

San Francisco Chronicle by Edward Guthmann

Acting rarely gets better than this.

The New York Times by Elvis Mitchell

Quietly courageous drama .

ReelViews by James Berardinelli

It's ironic that a film with this title should be among the most vital, alive, and challenging cinema experiences of the year.

Film.com by John Hartl

Sean Penn gives the most riveting, selfless performance of his career.

Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum

Has its awkward and square moments directorially, but it's also uncommonly honest and serious.