Sort of a cross between "The Negotiator" and "12 Angry Men," "Deadlocked" is a legal thriller that features an interesting premise, relevant to the current focus on the fairness of the American justice system. After his African-American son has just been convicted of the murder of a white female, a father (Charles S. Dutton) takes the jury hostage in an attempt to prove his son's innocence. With many lives at stake, the skeptical prosecutor (David Caruso) has 14 hours to re-examine the case and find evidence to exonerate the accused.
Dutton and Caruso give solid performances, as does the actor who plays Dutton's convict son. SPOILER ALERT The film's biggest fault (SPOILER AHEAD) is that Caruso is able to find the evidence that incriminates the real killer in so little time. It's completely unrealistic. Still, it's more the result of trying to fit a film into a 1 hour time-slot on TNT than anything else. It shows how time constraints can really limit the potential of TV films, especially when they are aired on Cable channels that constantly interrupt the movie for commercials.
Dutton and Caruso give solid performances, as does the actor who plays Dutton's convict son. SPOILER ALERT The film's biggest fault (SPOILER AHEAD) is that Caruso is able to find the evidence that incriminates the real killer in so little time. It's completely unrealistic. Still, it's more the result of trying to fit a film into a 1 hour time-slot on TNT than anything else. It shows how time constraints can really limit the potential of TV films, especially when they are aired on Cable channels that constantly interrupt the movie for commercials.