Attorneys can be intriguing on the screen. Suits, The Lincoln Lawyer, and other classic shows have set the bar very high.
A new American film, Mea Culpa, has a good amount of competition to cater to.
Streaming on Netflix, the two-hour-long film is a suspenseful, steamy, and crime thriller.
Find out in my review how it performs on several fronts.
Mea Culpa Synopsis
A defense attorney, feeling the crunch of a dwindling marriage, reluctantly takes up the case of a murder accused.
Her family, duty, and personal desires are put to the test soon enough.
Directed by Tyler Perry, the movie stars Kelly Rowland (Mea), Trevante Rhodes (Zyair), Nick Sagar (Ray), Sean Sagar (Kal), Ronreaco Lee (Jimmy), Shannon Thornton (Charlise), and Kerry O’Malley (Azalia) among others.
What Works for Mea Culpa?
The suspenseful plotting of the tale is the major merit of this American film.
It starts with a couple, going through a rough time, seeing a therapist. While the wife has problems with her mother-in-law’s regular interference in their relationship, the husband wants her to stop nagging. Add to it several other woes. Against this backdrop, the wife, who’s a defense attorney, gets a strange request to handle the case of a murder-accused artist.
As soon as the protagonist takes up the case, the engagement quotient keeps growing for Mea Culpa.
You eagerly want to see the plot unfold. The traces of a murder mystery and the classic vibe of a detective show drive the film forward.
The emphasis on suspenseful buildups is heightened by invigorating background beats, creating a dynamic and engaging viewing experience.
Furthermore, the halfway point introduces a musical rhythm to the narration, enhancing the film’s atmospheric allure.
The subtle emergence of a brewing romance is skillfully accompanied by bite-sized songs, adding a delightful layer to the unfolding story.
Moreover, family relationships nudge ahead carefully to contain overdramatic emotions.
While integral to the storyline, an excess of such emotional weight could have potentially hindered the film’s impact.
A mysterious screenplay serves as the backbone, maintaining a brisk pace and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
I think the structuring of the storyline is Mea Culpa’s biggest strength.
How are the Performances?
Kelly Rowland commands the screen as the titular character, infusing the movie with her magnetic presence.
Her exceptional expressions, profound understanding of the plot, and unwavering conviction elevate the narrative.
She understands the plot and adapts to it every time there is a shift in the narrative.
Trevante Rhodes delivers a mesmerizing performance as Zyair, the painting artist.
He outstandingly captures the audience with charm and depth and draws them into his world.
His ability to infuse charm and depth into Zyair’s character adds a rich and dynamic layer to the overall storytelling.
What Doesn’t Work for Mea Culpa?
The concept is decent if not trite. Moreover, I felt the storyline lacked sense at times. Some of the twists either could have been well-backed or avoided in totality.
Mea Culpa never comes across as a deeply enriching experience. The dialogues are not consistently dexterous. Even the writing might appear perfunctory in places.
Moreover, courtroom scenes would have substantially helped the film’s cause. Their sheer absence takes away the buildups and thrill of the initial hour.
It was a great opportunity, but, I guess, the makers were clear about not presenting a courtroom spectacle.
Towards the end, the movie becomes predictable with some discoveries reeking of repetition and mediocre setups.
They looked forceful and uncooked. You are left craving for an emotional stimulation that never arrives.
Lastly, Mea Culpa habitually wastes time on certain unnecessary things. Due to this, the time for more important subplots shrinks considerably, an observation that arrives in hindsight.
Stream or Skip?
Tough to give a verdict on this one. I specifically didn’t like the twists in the end. I wouldn’t suggest it to those seeking the opposite.
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