Film Overview"The Amendment" is a 2018 drama movie directed by Paul Brown and produced by Terry Benedict. It stars Mike Vogel, Taryn Manning, and Silas Weir Mitchell. The story is based upon the true life occasions of Brooks Douglass, a successful political leader, and his battle for justice and reconciliation after his moms and dads were brutally killed.
Plot SummaryThe film opens with a rural house in Oklahoma, where Beverley and Richard Douglass and their 2 teenage children, Brooks and Leslie, are having dinner. Unexpectedly, 2 drifters get into the house, hold the household captive, and ultimately eliminate Beverley and Richard. As the only survivors, Brooks and Leslie are left distressed and looking for justice.
Years later on, Brooks (Mike Vogel) is now a state senator in Oklahoma, and he is still haunted by the horrific occasion that includes his sister Leslie (Taryn Manning) being attacked and their parents murdered. These events motivate him to compose a victim's rights bill, called "The Amendment", to provide victims and their households a voice in trials and parole hearings.
Character DevelopmentAs the bill progresses in the court system, Brooks is forced to confront his psychological injury and lastly seek therapy. There, he begins to comprehend the depth of his unsolved anger and regret, specifically towards his sibling. Sometimes, the lines of his personal and political lives blur, triggering conflicts and minutes of realization about the power of forgiveness.
Leslie battles with her severe PTSD, feeling that she isn't able to proceed from the tragic past. She ultimately strays from her brother due to his fixation on seeking justice as she seems like she's reliving the trauma repetitively.
Highlighting the System's FlawsBrooks' journey likewise clarifies the insufficiencies of the justice system, specifically in dealing with parole hearings. The real-life Brooks Douglass wound up dealing with among his parents' killers, Glen Ake, in a parole hearing. This occurrence is portrayed strongly in the movie, and Brooks' responses provide potent commentary on the system's failures. The movie dissects how victims are typically silenced in the legal procedures and have no say in the outcome.
Reconciliation and ConclusionThe climax of the film depends upon Brooks' capability to forgive the murderers in an unexpected act of mankind. These occasions inspire him to continue his objective of supporting criminal offense victims, manifesting in the amendment's ultimate passage. Brooks' journey from being a victim, to becoming the youngest state senator in United States history, and finally a crusader for victims' rights, is absolutely nothing except inspiring.
In the last act of the movie, Leslie and Brooks are revealed to fix up, both acknowledging the different methods they handle their shared injury. This emotional reconciliation serves as an effective reminder of the bonds that tie us to our liked ones.
Concluding Remarks"The Amendment" is a magnificently poignant movie depicting Brooks Douglass' journey from victim to victor, looking for justice for his parents' harsh murder and ultimately discovering the power to forgive. The motion picture presents a fascinating commentary on the flaws and failings of the justice system while providing us a peek into the strength and durability of the human spirit.
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