2961. My Days Of Mercy (2017)

Starring: Ellen Page, Kate Mara, Amy Seimetz

Director: Tali Shalom-Ezer

Running Time: 108 mins

My Days Of Mercy is an American film about two women who strike up an unlikely romance, despite sitting on opposite sides of the debate on the death penalty.

This is an excellent film. It’s not just an emotionally raw, touching romantic drama, but a thought-provoking and deeply insightful look at the debate surrounding the death penalty. Ellen Page and Kate Mara are fantastic together in an unorthodox romance, making My Days Of Mercy a captivating and moving watch throughout.

What really stands out about this film is the way in which it blends romance with social issue drama. Not leaning too heavily on either side, the film interweaves its various central themes effectively, and with earnest emotional resonance.

In that, the love story is a heartfelt one, but also enormously challenging, as two women find themselves growing closer despite fundamental differences on an issue very close to their hearts.

Page and Mara’s chemistry is such that the strength of their bond is fully convincing despite those differences, but the film also represents a captivating, respectful side to debate, as they listen to an sympathise with one another, avoiding the melodramatic intensity so commonly seen in a polarised world.

The romance is tender and touching, presented with honesty and passion throughout. But without those deeper themes, the film would never hit home quite so hard, as the pair’s present situation and strong feelings on the death penalty add an enthralling extra dimension to their relationship.

Couple that with gripping legal drama in the background, as well as a gripping insight into both the wider and more intimate implications of the death penalty, and My Days Of Mercy is a thoroughly captivating watch, and that’s why I’m giving it 7.8 overall.