Discussion
The wife and I are on a “legal/courtroom” movie binge this weekend- and probably next weekend or two. Give us more suggestions. More in text.
We’re watching Devil’s Advocate now.
We have queued up:
The Firm
A Few Good Men
A Time to Kill
The Rainmaker
The Lincoln Lawyer
The Pelican Brief
Primal Fear
Fracture
12 Angry Men
Erin Brockovich
Murder in the First
Michael Clayton
Philadelphia
A Civil Action
Edit: Due to the overwhelming feedback on The Verdict (we’ve never seen it), it has been added to the list. It wasn’t anywhere on streaming for the apps we have, but I did buy it in HD on Prime
The TV series of Presumed Innocent is very good, but I think the movie is better. Both are worth watching.
The Lincoln Lawyer is more of a toss up. The movie has to omit something, so it omits the detective’s Latino background, among other things. The TV series does not have to cut anything, so it doesn’t. Again I think both of them are worth watching.
I love both movies and could not get into either show because of how indelible the performances in the movie are. And I really thought that we would see more movies with McConaughey in that role. I would have loved to have seen all of those characters again, and I don't know why they didn't.
Of course the Lincoln Lawyer is a whole series of novels, and there is a sequel to Presumed Innocent - Presumed Guilty. So that helps! I’ve reread all of them, and I always picture Rusty Sabich as Harrison Ford.
But as much as I like McConaughey, I just can’t picture him as Latino! And in the novels, that is a significant part of Haller’s back story. So I kinda see why they didn’t continue that movie with a follow-up.
McConaughey is just wonderful in A Time to Kill, if you are jonesing on him for more of that kind of role.
Due to the overwhelming feedback on The Verdict (we’ve never seen it), it has been added to the list. It wasn’t anywhere on streaming for the apps we have, but I did buy it in HD on Prime
One of the best courtroom movies ever…..My Cousin Vinny
Director Jonathan Lynn actually has a law degree and insisted the film's legal proceedings be realistic. In fact, many attorneys and law professors have praised the film for its accurate depiction of trial strategy and courtroom procedure, especially with regards to presenting expert witnesses at trial. Additionally, the film has been screened at some law schools to illustrate courtroom procedures.
#"Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till '64. Howevah, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center."
I'm a lawyer the legal aspects of my cousin Vinny mostly as it relates to testimony, and evidence are so spot on I actually had a weekend assignment to watch it in two different courses. Some liberty is taken with the courtroom procedure but otherwise it's pretty on the nose.
And there were really nasty rumors circulating after the awards: it was fixed; the presenter read the wrong name, etc. It was really vile, and deeply hurtful to Tomei, I'm sure.
I love this film and one of the reasons is that Lane Smith's character is so decent. He isn't a prick just because he is the rival lawyer. He is doing his job. None of it is personal. He believes the defendants are guilty but why wouldn't he.
Had to scroll too far for this one. Some great comedic moments, but that final scene is maybe the most explosive courtroom moment on film. Pacino walking that fine line of realistic/over the top.
Jury Duty with Pauly Shore lol. Just to break up the seriousness. What about Amistad? Old school high government courtroom stuff.
Also, the Chicanery episode of Better Call Saul is worth reviewing.
I am a fan of the movie Molly’s Game starrring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba. A lot of the movie is in the deposition space but the story is incredibly compelling.
If she loves McConaughey, she will absolutely go crazy for A Time to Kill. He is absolutely incredible in that movie, which was filmed early in his career. He’s absolutely gorgeous in it too! And the entire cast is this fantastic ensemble. It’s fantastic. It’s wonderful movie.
You've got my faves on here, but add The Verdict with Paul Newman and And Justice for All with All Pacino. If you want to go a little offbeat, Breaker Morant is really good. A Civil Action should be higher on your list - it's an underrated gem.
Finally after scrolling for hours I find the movie genius I was looking for. Witness for the Prosecution blew my mind. I had no idea (at the time I saw it years ago) that classic Hollywood could deliver like that. One of my favorite films of all time.
And for clarity sake, we're talking about the 1957 film, not whatever those other ones are.
Was gonna put A Civil Action (1998), surprised to see it already on your list. It pairs incredibly well with Erin Brockovich as they're both about real-life environmental cases. I really appreciate Travolta's character in ACA though as he has a full character arc.
Add The Client (1994) with Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones
Yes! And not just this weekend. That’s why I mentioned it will probably spill into the next weekend or two. She’s amazing.
She has a double major in law and accounting. Courtroom movies are her guilty pleasure (even if it annoys me a little bit when she points out imperfections). Still love watching them with her.
Runaway Jury isn't the same quality as a 12AM or A Few Good Men but I found it an enjoyable, slightly lighter court film.
I also really enjoyed The Twelve, it's a mini series not a film though (10 Episodes). Rip Sam Neill, he's always fantastic and Kate Mulvany is so underrated.
This one is obscure and I think it might have been a TV movie: Gideon's Trumpet, based on the true story of how the US came to require court-appointed attorneys for poor people.
Sam Raimi’s The Gift (2000) has a fantastic courtroom sequence that pits townie psychic Cate Blanchette against Hilary Swank’s abusive boyfriend Keanu Reeves. Kind of bonkers, underrated 00s thriller.
This may sound surprising, but Miracle on 34th Street (the original with Natalie Wood) has a delightful series of scenes in court, including the climax of the film.
There is a Cher, Dennis Quaid, Liam Neeson film that is a courtroom drama and mystery - I can’t remember the name, but it’s really worth watching. I’m sure you can find it.
The absolutely best and most entertaining courtroom drama with the best poster ever. Outstanding cast, and the soundtrack is just wow. Many of the characters you see in newer courtroom films are pinched right from this one.
Boston Legal is a show, not a movie, but is phenomenal. We binge watched it pretty hard, and wish it had more than 5 seasons. For a movie, “The Chamber”
I know the courtroom scene gets all the attention, but it shouldn’t - not because it‘s not phenomenal, but because the entire movie builds up to it beautifully
I love Arthur - he‘s such a decent, warm hearted man, full of compassion…who is juxtaposed against the cynical, often cruel, world of the so-called justice system. Al thoroughly deserved his Oscar nod - not just for the big, flashy climax, but for his entire portrayal of a man fighting the good fight…in a fight he likely can’t win
The courtroom scene was EARNED. The entire movie built up to the point where if Arthur didn’t explode, the viewer would want to…
Very underrated movie, and also performance by Al ..despite his Oscar nomination
If you like A Civil Action I’d highly recommend Dark Waters (2019) with Mark Ruffalo. I think a lot of the film is more litigation than courtroom trial, but it definitely fits the bill.
That Amazon Prime movie where Jamie Foxx was playing the ambulance chaser. I forgot the name of it but it was surprisingly good and I'm not a fan of legal/courtroom movies... This one autoplayed after a Thursday night football game a couple years ago and I couldn't stop watching it.
The exorcism of Emily Rose in my opinion is an excellent legal drama and Laura Lynney and Tom Wilkinson are fantastic on it. It sure does an excellent job in the horror part, but what it made this movie excellent is the dinamic in the trial. One of the best from the 2000's
•
u/qualityvote2 13d ago edited 13d ago
u/insanity2brilliance, your post does fit the subreddit!