In Monster’s Ball, the film featuring Halle Berry’s Oscar winning performance, Billy Bob Thornton wore the uniform of a jailer/executioner on death row. Here, he’s Manuel Jordan, on the other side of the bars. For almost 22 years he’s been locked up. His crime, committing a murder during a convenience store robbery when he was about 20 years old. Manuel is a sad personality, resigned to the "life" portion of his maximum sentence. He has not only adjusted to doing his time, but he believes that the only way to pay his debt to society is to spend his life in jail, as restitution for the life that he took away.

When the parole board informs Manuel that it’s their choice to decide what to do with him and not his, he is soon a free man. Once he’s back in the neighborhood, at the scene of the crime, he’s also in proximity to where foul mouthed preacher Miles (Morgan Freeman) runs a soup kitchen next to a nightclub. Young adults agree to listen to him quote bible scriptures and preach for 15 minutes so they can park for free.

Manuel stalks Adele Easely (Holly Hunter), the older sister of the young man he killed. She is not aware of the connection, yet. He is initially rebuffed but because both are wounded individuals in need of someone who cares, they eventually become friends and later lovers. That’s an unorthodox relationship if there ever was one.

We know that sooner or later Adele will learn the origins of their relationship, which will doom any hopes of a long-term affair. Can Manuel’s redemption come from his ability to help Adele’s son, who is running with a crowd that’s into drive-by shootings?

The last key person in this quartet of sad souls is Sofia (Kirsten Dunst), a young, upper middle class white girl, who parties until she passes out, wakes up with no memory other than it was a good enough time to want to do it again. She gives it up and doesn’t even remember who got it.

This film with a message is a little bit preachy with its measured pace, which for some will be too slow to hold their interest. The voice-over narration by Thornton for example talks about his personal, five-step program for redemption. First is to acknowledge the responsibility for what you did. Second is to have remorse. Third is to make it right with your neighbors; he points out that a murder can’t be undone like returning a stolen chicken. The fourth step is to make your peace with God and last to do the right thing if the same circumstances present themselves again.

Seeing this film may show the Eminem bravado types the destructive path they are on. It could result in a change of behavior before they commit a capital offense, three felonies or other actions that will result in long jail sentences.

For fans of any of the four leading actors in the movie, the film will be enjoyable but not great. Freeman and Thornton seem to be on acting cruise control; you are with them but you don’t feel the passion of where they are in life. Dunst is a more realistic wild child than she was in crazy/beautiful. The real standout is Holly Hunter, who is an emotionally damaged, single mother, who projects a sexuality that most actresses can only dream of.

When certain things happen in your life that you do to yourself or others, redemption may not be possible. Murders cannot be undone and hurtful words will always have been spoken regardless of how sorry one may be.

Sofia can eventually be happy. Adele, Miles and Manuel can do the right things, but the joyful carefree days will likely never come again. A light heart is not an option for them.