Based on a true story about a miscarriage of justice in Pennsylvania that occurred in 1982, the story of Nick Yarris is a harrowing indictment of the legal and penal systems. Convicted of a murder which he did not commit, Yarris is a victim of a mendacity, incompetence and brutality that is simply appalling. He spends 22 years in prison awaiting his death until he is finally exonerated by DNA evidence that is only produced when he has at last resigned himself to being executed. The strength of this work is the masterful direction of Justin Martin and a set of powerful performances led by Adrien Brody as Yarris. Despite the fact that most of the story is narrated and the question of Yarris' guilt or innocence is never really much in doubt, the audience is held enthralled by the recounting and depiction of his tribulations. Director Martin ensures that the pace never flags as he moves his players around the stage and constantly refocuses the point of interest, while Brody is simply mesmerising as the beleaguered convict. This is an extraordinary performance as we watch the naïve, yet guileful, Yarris celebrate his capacity to tell stories as he talks himself into a situation which will rob him of his freedom and ultimately threaten his life. As the prison visitor and doctoral student who takes up Yarris' case and eventually becomes emotionally involved with him, Nana Mensah is completely convincing as she moves from wariness to trust to weariness as the seemingly never-ending appeal process drags on. Full marks also to Miriam Buether for a wonderfully versatile and imaginative set. The use of the rear window to express the world outside the prison is an ingenious device. The Fear of 13 is a searing indictment of the machinery of justice which is movingly and intelligently presented in a first-rate production with a stellar performance from Adrien Brody.
Rated: ★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Manuel Harlan
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