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Unequivocally, the film is on the defendants' side, characterizing police and prosecutors as either inept, deceitful, or both. Yet Jackson, Berg and their collaborators are nothing but thorough, providing detailed segments with witnesses who now retract testimony that helped convict the defendants and hiring not just one, but half a dozen, of their own forensics experts, who all dispute evidence presented by prosecutors. "West of Memphis" offers compelling evidence that the stepfather of one of the murdered boys might have killed them, though it's all circumstantial, adding to the infuriating sense of confusion and futility that has persisted in the case for nearly two decades. After 18 years in prison, Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were freed in 2011 after entering guilty pleas that allowed them technically to maintain their innocence. It's a triumphant moment in "West of Memphis," one that likely would not have come to pass without the efforts of the filmmakers. Like many great dramas, it's an ending that satisfies but also vexes, because the story really isn't over. The film builds a convincing case for the innocence of the West Memphis Three, but it might take some deathbed confession to know what really happened. If you believe Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley murdered those boys, then child killers now are out on the street. If you believe they didn't do it, then innocent men spent half of their lives in prison, while someone else got away with murder. The abiding image -- photos literally left at the end of the closing credits
-- is that of the other West Memphis Three, little boys who died horribly, for whom justice has not been served. "West of Memphis," a Sony Pictures Classics release, is rated R for disturbing violent content and some language. Running time: 147 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four. ___ Motion Picture Association of America rating definition for R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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