Lovely Jackson

Not often do you get to see the story of an exonerated individual told in such an intimate manner. Rickey Jackson playing himself in this movie allows for the story to be genuine and for the viewer to understand obstacles he faced in prison.

The raw emotion presented by Rickey in the film is something I have never really encountered in films concerning the same topic. This is an innovative form of storytelling that provides the grounds for people to engage on the topic of the wrongfully convicted.

This film is informative in the sense that it touches on several issues of the American criminal justice system through the story of just one innocent man!

There are very few movies that will provoke genuine emotions from beginning to end. The cinematographer angles helped to intensify some of the most important moments in the film. This docudrama is infused with intense and light hearted scenes that will have you emotionally charged.

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.

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.

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."