Rainy days are the right time to do romantic things, snuggle up indoors with a good movie, and indulge in some comfort food. Unfortunately, on that foggy day, I was working outside. When I returned to the office, the first thing I noticed was that my shoes and white baggy jeans were stained by mud. When I remembered that I hadn’t eaten since the morning, I decided to have my lunch with one of my colleagues.
After we ate, we decided to have coffee. During our conversation, the talk turned to movies, and my colleague recommended this film to me. I have seen it twice and could watch it a thousand times without getting tired of it.
It was a gloomy day for them. They were there to judge a 16-year-old’s verdict for stabbing his father and being accused of murder. Out of 12 jurors, 11 of them thought he was guilty. Eleven jurors wanted an immediate conviction, but the one dissenting juror, Mr. Davis, did not want to make a quick decision. He did not t want to put his voice or raise his hand to send the boy to die without discussing it first. Instead, he wanted to take the time to think about it.
He gently said, “We are here to talk about someone’s life. We can’t decide it in 5 minutes,” and convinced the others to discuss the teenage boy’s case.
For someone who hasn’t seen the American justice system, the concept of a jury is new. The movie, “12 Angry Men,” allows the audience to see the details of the case and the decision-making process of the 12 jurors.
There is always one person who can make a significant difference in one, two, or a million lives. Never underestimate your power, as you never know who you will be tomorrow, even if you feel alone. That’s the message of the movie.
We can say that “12 Angry Men” is about patience. The first juror, Juror 8, was the lone voice standing up to save the 16-year-old boy. He thoughtfully considered the evidence before deciding on the boy’s life. I was so engrossed in this movie from beginning to end.
I would recommend it to everyone, especially those aspiring to join the legal profession. It can teach you a lot about critical thinking, remaining calm in every situation (as it can often be the solution), and the importance of listening before speaking.
Sometimes, we have to see things from other people’s perspectives before we judge. We need to understand how they feel about it. I think that is the key message of this film.
People shouldn’t be too quick to judge. Even if it might seem delusional, most people are not sure about trusting their instincts. But instinct will never lie. Sometimes, if you feel it, like Juror 8, who said the boy was not guilty, you do not know what to say at that moment, but your instinct and intuition know better.
Juror 8 illuminated the young man’s life, giving value to his future and hope. He had high moral standards and stood for what he believed in, even if it seemed delusional. The crucial thing is that if you truly believe in yourself, you can attract people’s thoughts. You can see this clearly in the movie.
I firmly believe that you can never be a loser if you stand up for what you believe in.
“12 Angry Men” was released in 1957. Twelve men, one room, a great script, and unbelievable actors make this an unforgettable movie.
BY KALKIDAN NEGASH
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 18 JULY 2024
