tim robbins do a masterful job direct this film . i say this because he avoid convention and cliché . he also oversee superb performance from susan sarandon ( who win an oscar for her role ) and sean penn . even more amazing and robbins doesn not patronize . he just tell the story and let the event play on the viewer mind . this be so effective because it allow the viewer to form his own opinion on the death penalty and one of the most controversial subject of our time and without be unfairly manipulate in either direction . i can not recommend this film enough and positive .