User Reviews

The film had a way of bringing you in and making you feel like you were a part of it. It tugged on your heart and the way it was edited was so immersive. After finding out the actors improvised large portions, I'm even more impressed.

The story of Rickey Jackson is most certainly a roller coaster of emotions. It brings such a human element to the prison system and shows you so many things you really didn't want to imagine would happen to a good person but did. He is a tough, kind person and it is shown throughout the film.

Congratulations on a wonderful film to the entire crew involved. Best wishes to Mr. Jackson in all of his future endeavors.

This is a gripping story, shot and paced in a way that - even if you're familiar with the real-life events - you are on the edge of your seat the entire time. What elevates a remarkable story and filmmaking approach further: Ricky Jackson is an unequivocally amazing person. You will love him, cry for him, and want to fight for justice on his behalf.

Jackson is a powerful example of what a rise-above mentality looks like, and how "taking the higher road" benefits not only a person wronged - but also spreads a potentially endless positive ripple effect outwards. He consistently chooses to lean into the good (compassion, empathy, kindness, forgiveness and love) over the bad (anger, resentment, revenge) - and this choice enables him to live a joyful, loving, beautiful life despite every possible obstacle. Something we can all learn from.

As our very young country continues to grow and evolve, this is also a movie everyone involved in the shaping, maintaining and enforcing of our legal system should watch.

This completely original approach and transformation of a documentary, combined with the sheer power, emotion, and density of the story itself, combined with the incredible authenticity and open expression by the protagonist himself in his own story, will fully remove you from anything else you are thinking, doing, or worrying about for the duration of this movie... and well after! This movie will change you.

What an incredible story... I have found myself thinking about this one for days after seeing it. Very intense, and even had a number of twists and turns.

The production and fx really were a nice addition to the already incredible story.

Cannot believe this man spent 39 YEARS in prison for a CRIME HE DIDN'T COMMIT.

This is a gripping and fascinating story of how Ricky Johnson was wrongfully accused and sent to prison for 39 years (the longest in American history) and never broke his spirit.

There are very few movies that will provoke genuine emotions from beginning to end. The cinematographer angles helped to intensify some of the most important moments in the film. This docudrama is infused with intense and light hearted scenes that will have you emotionally charged.

We sat transfixed in the dark theater on the edge of our seats the entire time. This deeply personal story carries you into the deepest recesses of the justice system and shines a spotlight on one man's journey over 39 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. There wasn't a dry eye in the theater.

The cinematography and storytelling are beautifully done. We talked for hours afterward about the film and still can't stop thinking about it.

This story of ricky jackson's life will renew your faith in the resilience and goodness of humanity and our ability to triumph over adversity.

You will not want to miss this incredibly film!!

Not often do you get to see the story of an exonerated individual told in such an intimate manner. Rickey Jackson playing himself in this movie allows for the story to be genuine and for the viewer to understand obstacles he faced in prison.

The raw emotion presented by Rickey in the film is something I have never really encountered in films concerning the same topic. This is an innovative form of storytelling that provides the grounds for people to engage on the topic of the wrongfully convicted.

This film is informative in the sense that it touches on several issues of the American criminal justice system through the story of just one innocent man!

Not a sentimental or emotional person, yet I cried 3 times. The story is a 10/10, pacing a 10/10 and the visuals are so well done and real 10/10. I will go as far as to say this is my new favourite movie and will be watching this again soon. The editing was top notch and the immersion is real. A way of entertaining yourself while educating yourself. This movie is hands down the best movie of all time. I can't stress enough the after effect it left on my after watching it and the timeline follows through super well. I'm not a fan of documentaries and thought this would be one. They acted out the exact events and made it into a drama movie. The movie has its laughs too. Thank you for this movien.

I wasn't sure what to expect when sitting down for this documentary feature film. What I for sure did not expect, however, is the emotional roller coaster that "Lovely Jackson" provides the audience. I can't remember the last time I cried so much!

But it's not all sad: you'd think a movie about a guy wrongfully imprisoned for 39 years would be a complete "Eeyore" of a movie from start to finish. But it's not. I cry-cried, almost sobbing, but then there were laugh-cries too. Really hard to be the tough guy seeing this one, but thankfully the theater was dark and Mom brought tissues.

The only tough guy in the room was Ricky Jackson onscreen. And rightfully so. He earned that moniker for life though I'm sorry he had to.

The way his story is conveyed takes you through all of RJ's emotions, experiences and breakthroughs. There is an amazing mix of true life grit with artful presentation. The film should speak to all walks of life in so many ways.

This is one of those films that will and should stick with you, constantly at the forefront of your mind. It should serve to remind you that whatever life throws at you, for however long, nothing can be as challenging as what Mr. Jackson faced. And, to see how he copes with the after affects and everyone is his life should serve as an example of how everyone the world over should behave.

Cheers to Mr. Jackson, filmmaker, cast and crew for being courageous enough to show us all how to live "happily ever after."

Lovely Jackson is a powerful and moving documentary that tells the story of a Ricky who was wrongfully incarcerated for 39 years. The film is by a first time director, but yet it is expertly crafted, with stunning cinematography and a compelling narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Ricky's story is one of incredible resilience and perseverance, as he endured decades of injustice and imprisonment, only to emerge on the other side with a remarkable sense of grace and forgiveness. His presence at the film festival was nothing short of inspiring, as he shared his personal journey with the audience and answered questions with honesty and vulnerability.

Lovely Jackson is a must-see documentary that will leave you with a sense of hope and a renewed commitment to fighting for justice. I highly recommend this film to anyone who cares about human rights, social justice, and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

The art that came from this pain is phenomenal, heartbreaking, inspiring, and humbling. The story is unbelievable, and the artistic portrait is outstanding. When you consider it's the director's first film, it's a masterpiece.

I was lucky enough to get to see this at the Toronto black film festival and let me tell you, it was the perfect selection to start off the festival. I would definitely recommend this film for everyone to watch. Such an interesting viewpoint on systemic injustice, but also a wonderful narrative achieved in a documentary format. I can't wait to share with all of my friends.

I just saw this movie last night and have to say I was completely touched by it. The emotion, mental fortitude, reality and integrity that this docu-drama told through the eyes of Ricky was just incredible and so strong that it will sit with me forever.

The director's use of imagery, music and story telling was on point. I am so glad I got to see this film and truly hope this film gets the exposure that it definitely deserves.

The injustice served to Ricky Jackson is simply a tragedy but sadly a reality for many behind bars to this day, a lot of them their due to the miscarriages of systemic racism!

This compelling docudrama tells not only the story of a man who was on death row and spent 39 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, but also the triumph of his soul by not allowing bitterness or hatred set in when it would have been easily justified.

This film gives the full picture of what happens at the time of wrongful conviction, serving time as an innocent person, the parole process, the ultimate struggle to find advocates to seek true justice, the release, and trying to adjust to life after prison in a world that is much different from the last time of freedom.

Anybody involved in the criminal justice system needs to see this film.