An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story

Al Reinert's documentary traces the case of Michael Morton, a Texas man wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and subsequently imprisoned for a quarter-century before being exonerated by evidence that the prosecution failed to share with Morton's lawyers. Although the subject invites a highly-charged emotional stance, Reinert takes a sober approach, juxtaposing a moving interview of Morton with archival material (including contemporary news footage), telling the story of how his incarceration was brought to the attention of Barry Scheck's Innocence Project, which enlisted Houston attorney John Raley to take on the case pro bono. The upshot was the discovery of a statement made by Morton's 3-year-old son, Eric—present when his mother was killed—that prosecutor Ken Anderson had suppressed, along with a bloody bandana found near the scene that the new defense team fought to have tested for DNA against stiff resistance from Anderson's successor. In addition to Morton's eventual release, the film follows his difficult reconnection with Eric, and legal proceedings against Anderson (who had since become a judge), as well as the arrest of the actual perpetrator. DVD extras include footage of the SXSW premiere; a Q&A with Reinert, Morton, and Raley; and excerpts from the court of inquiry regarding Anderson's conduct (and the hearing at which he copped a plea). A powerful and poignant tale of justice long denied, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)