West of Memphis - 8/10

Aletha 2022-04-13 08:01:01

I knew about this case earlier because of the highly rated Paradise Lost trilogy. Because of my curiosity about this case, I planned to watch these three documentaries, but I did not expect to watch West of Memphis in the theater.

The film basically tells the story of the case and everything that has happened over the past 20 years. The first hour of the film brought me huge questions. I wondered why the three teenagers were plead guilty if they were wronged, and the various inexplicable behaviors of the protagonist Damien. . But when the film progresses to the middle and later stages, this question seems to become less important. The important thing is whether they can regain their freedom and innocence. At the end of the film, hearing the last sentence of the judge, I believe that every audience was completely shocked. Perhaps this is where the authority of American law is higher than that of Chinese law. .

In answering my question, this film did not give much explanation. As a documentary, I feel a little regretful. Maybe this question should be left to the Paradise Lost trilogy to answer, and you must find it when you have the chance.

Paradise Lost Trilogy:
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000)
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011)

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Extended Reading

West of Memphis quotes

  • Damien Wayne Echols: The thing I like most about time is that it's not real. It's all in the head. Sure, it's a useful trick if you wanna meet someone at a specific place in the universe to have tea or coffee. But that's all it is, a trick. There's no such thing as the past, it exists only in the memory. There's no such thing as the future, it exists only in our imagination. If our watches were truly accurate the only thing they would ever say is now.

  • Damien Wayne Echols: [quoting Stephen King] "All right I think we've been down here in the dark long enough. There's a whole other world upstairs. Take my hand, Constant Reader, and I'll be happy to lead you back into the sunshine. I'm happy to go there because I believe most people are essentially good. I know that I am. It's you I'm not entirely sure of."