Tim Robbins' second directorial effort (after the political satire Bob Roberts) was this drama based on a true story, which explores the issue of capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day, she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), who is scheduled to be executed soon for the ****** and murder of two teenagers. After meeting Matthew, Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However, Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best, and it's clear he's a reprehensible, amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that Matthew's sentence will be carried out, Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to Matthew, but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness, telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love." Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Prejean, and Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as Matthew. Mark Deming, Rovi
- Genre: Drama
- Category Prison Film, Religious Drama
- Theme: Redemption, Death Row, Members of the Clergy
- Studio: MGM
- Run Time: 02 hr 02 min
- Language: French, English
- Subtitle Language: Spanish
- Picture Format: pan_and_scan, widescreen
- Format: DVD
- Release Date: February 6, 2001
- Lead Actor: Susan Sarandon, R. Lee Ermey, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, Sean Penn
- Supporting Actor: Scott Wilson, Lois Smith, Scott Sowers, Roberta Maxwell, Peter Sarsgaard, Nesbitt Blaisdell, Cortez Nance Jr., Kevin Cooney, Celia Weston, Steve Carlisle, Barton Heyman, Michael Cullen, Adam Nelson, Jack Black, Margo Martindale, Mike Longman, Pamela Garmon, Ray Aranha, Sally Ann Roberts, Lenore Banks, Larry Pine, Amy Long, Alec Gifford, Clancy Brown, Steve Boles, Adele Robbins
- Director: Tim Robbins
awards
- Awards: Academy Awards (1)
- Winner: Academy Awards, Best Actress, 1995, Susan Sarandon
- Nominations: Academy Awards (3), Golden Globe Awards (3)
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Screenplay, 1995, Tim Robbins
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Actor, 1995, Sean Penn
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, 1995, Sean Penn
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Pictur, 1995, Susan Sarandon
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Director, 1995, Tim Robbins
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Song, 1995, Bruce Springsteen
