The Execution of Julie Ann Mabry

The Execution Of Julie Ann Mabry squeezes more honest filmmaking out of six thousand dollars than most big budget movies ever manage to deliver at any price. It is a well-told tale of how difficult and often hopeless life is for people who have few advantages in this society. The parts major and brief are all played with an uncomplicated, direct and honest delivery that suits the material very well. Special mention to Olivia Adams II and Gemma Lee, who play the twin leads of Julie as a younger girl and as a woman. Kudos to Katie Madonna Lee as Julie's mother, and for writing, directing and producing this film. There are things urgent and frightening about this film because it is entirely believable. If it had been a true story I would not have been at all surprised. Born under different circumstances, this could have been the story of any of us. It hits so close to home if one is the least bit sensitive to what happens to our fellow travellers through life.

This film seems to be available only on Amazon, for streaming. It was apparently on Hulu in high def for a while, but not now. This deserves to be seen, shared and talked about as much as the usual Academy Award nominated offerings. I'm poor but I gave Amazon the ten dollars to "own" it and I hope this humble review will encourage others to support it.

I've read reveiws saying this story is not possible into today's society. People with a take like that clearly haven't visited their local prison or tent city. The lack of empathy for people, for even a movie character who represents women in prison, is mind blowing. Are you telling me you can not put suspend your belief in your own lived experience for 120 minutes?

From the youtube comments: used to be a corrections officer in a women's prison and let me tell you there are so many broken women behind bars. Their stories would break your heart. I always tried to be as compassionate as I could with them. I was firm and wouldn't take disrespect but I didn't feel like one of those officers that had to be mean and hateful because they are already being punished. It wasn't our place to punish them more unless they needed to be.

Right from the start, the storyline was implausible. The legal system as told in this story is completely unlikely, from the courtroom scenes to the jail/prison. The characters were over the top or flat and one dimensional. Several scenes had the characters reacting unnaturally to the events going on in the scene. The main cast members were caricature-like. I understand that there was a very small budget and for the budget they had, they did pretty good... I know to shut one eye when watching a film like this...that wasn't the problem... it was the immaturity of the script that made it unwatchable.