Ed Zwick's furious new film stumbles as a drama, but Laura Dern and Jack O'Connell make it a compelling argument against the death penalty; "Trial by Fire" works in spite of its stylelessness
a powerful drama; Zwick shows the failings of the justice system while not letting Willingham entirely off the hook. Jack O'Connell and Laura Dern, meanwhile, find the common ground in their characters that keeps "Trial by Fire" simmering
"Trial by Fire" is at its best when attacking the prosecution's bad science. Unfortunately, the film would rather try, and fail, to tug on the audience's heartstrings