Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story

Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story is what happens when a crime documentary loses sight of its focus.

A moving reflection of what criminal justice reform means in personal terms.

It ultimately does little to elucidate the wider social, racial or political contexts that led to her conviction or commuted sentence. In fact, it leaves enough gaps to make you question its entire point of view.

Although [the movie] rightfully gives credit to the defense team that didn't give up, the documentary could have been a little more honest ... if it explored how celebrity connections to fame, power, and wealth can affect the outcome of a criminal case.