Lovely Jackson

This is a gripping story, shot and paced in a way that - even if you're familiar with the real-life events - you are on the edge of your seat the entire time. What elevates a remarkable story and filmmaking approach further: Ricky Jackson is an unequivocally amazing person. You will love him, cry for him, and want to fight for justice on his behalf.

Jackson is a powerful example of what a rise-above mentality looks like, and how "taking the higher road" benefits not only a person wronged - but also spreads a potentially endless positive ripple effect outwards. He consistently chooses to lean into the good (compassion, empathy, kindness, forgiveness and love) over the bad (anger, resentment, revenge) - and this choice enables him to live a joyful, loving, beautiful life despite every possible obstacle. Something we can all learn from.

As our very young country continues to grow and evolve, this is also a movie everyone involved in the shaping, maintaining and enforcing of our legal system should watch.

This completely original approach and transformation of a documentary, combined with the sheer power, emotion, and density of the story itself, combined with the incredible authenticity and open expression by the protagonist himself in his own story, will fully remove you from anything else you are thinking, doing, or worrying about for the duration of this movie... and well after! This movie will change you.

I wasn't sure what to expect when sitting down for this documentary feature film. What I for sure did not expect, however, is the emotional roller coaster that "Lovely Jackson" provides the audience. I can't remember the last time I cried so much!

But it's not all sad: you'd think a movie about a guy wrongfully imprisoned for 39 years would be a complete "Eeyore" of a movie from start to finish. But it's not. I cry-cried, almost sobbing, but then there were laugh-cries too. Really hard to be the tough guy seeing this one, but thankfully the theater was dark and Mom brought tissues.

The only tough guy in the room was Ricky Jackson onscreen. And rightfully so. He earned that moniker for life though I'm sorry he had to.

The way his story is conveyed takes you through all of RJ's emotions, experiences and breakthroughs. There is an amazing mix of true life grit with artful presentation. The film should speak to all walks of life in so many ways.

This is one of those films that will and should stick with you, constantly at the forefront of your mind. It should serve to remind you that whatever life throws at you, for however long, nothing can be as challenging as what Mr. Jackson faced. And, to see how he copes with the after affects and everyone is his life should serve as an example of how everyone the world over should behave.

Cheers to Mr. Jackson, filmmaker, cast and crew for being courageous enough to show us all how to live "happily ever after."

What an incredible story... I have found myself thinking about this one for days after seeing it. Very intense, and even had a number of twists and turns.

The production and fx really were a nice addition to the already incredible story.

Cannot believe this man spent 39 YEARS in prison for a CRIME HE DIDN'T COMMIT.

This is a gripping and fascinating story of how Ricky Johnson was wrongfully accused and sent to prison for 39 years (the longest in American history) and never broke his spirit.