Natural Life

Filmmaker Even features the stories of five individuals who participated in deadly crimes as minors and were sentenced to life without chance of parole. She exposes the ramifications of a juvenile justice system that fails to take into account the undeveloped decision-making abilities of young offenders, their possible abusive home environments, and the overpowering influence of adults with criminal motives. Each of the prisoners tells the story of the situation that led to their sentence and speaks of the prison existence in which they are essentially warehoused with no opportunity to experience rehabilitation. Those close to the offenders, lawyers, a warden, law enforcement officials, and victims' families contribute to the narratives. There is solid explanation of the legal background. The production includes telephone interviews with the subjects, well-executed reenactments, and a split-screen presentation that subtly enhances the message. The director manages to indict the life without parole practice for minors without minimizing the severity of the crimes.