Check Out the Trailer

The best move this courtroom drama does is stay out of the courtroom for most of its running time. The final court proceeding doesn’t even make an appearance. Director Steven Soderbergh (SEX, LIES & VIDEOTAPE) and writer Susannah Grant (IN HER SHOES) find a way to have the revelatory happy ending that is a staple of this kind of film without a judge ruling innocent or guilty and a courtroom full of people jumping to their feet. These moves make the story about the investigation and not the theatrics. It gives it heart.

The film takes its title from its central character, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts, MYSTIC PIZZA), a poor single mother who provokes with her blunt statements and skimpy clothing. After a car accident, she hires lawyer Ed Masry (Albert Finney, TOM JONES) to represent her. Following the court case (one of only two courtroom scenes), Brockovich pressures her way into a job at Masry’s firm. She is assigned a real estate case, which includes medical records. Wondering why the two are connected, she looks into the case more and discovers that in Hinkley, California PG&E have been contaminating the groundwater with chromium 6, which is causing the residents to have numerous and varying health problems. Turns out, the power company has been covering up the problem and Brockovich makes it her mission to make them pay.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check Out the Trailer

This film is the quintessential courtroom drama. Well, I guess jury room drama is more accurate. Besides a brief prologue and epilogue the entire film takes place in a jury room on the hottest day of the year. An 18-year-old “ethnic” boy is on trial for murdering his father. A preliminary vote shows that all but one juror would vote guilty right away, which would lead the boy to death row.

In a classic performance, Henry Fonda (GRAPES OF WRATH) plays Juror #8, the man who wants to talk about the case before he sends a boy to the electric chair. He’s not convinced whether the defendant is guilty or not. As the 12 men discuss the facts of the case we see how “truth” is often shaded by pride, prejudice and cultural status. Juror #3 (Lee J. Cobb, THE EXORCIST) is the most bitter and seems to be putting his own personal problems onto the defendant. Juror #10 (Ed Begley, HANG ‘EM HIGH) keeps talking about “those people” and at one point in the film goes on a racist rant, which even people who still think the boy is guilty get up from the table and turn their backs to him. Juror #4 (E.G. Marshall, NIXON) tries to look at the facts with pure logic and no emotion. Juror #7 (Jack Warden, THE VERDICT) seems more interested in getting to his ball game then really giving any real thought to which way he will vote.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check Out the Trailer

This message flick is a harrowing drama, which chronicles the ordeals of young gang rape victim, Sarah Tobias (Jodie Foster, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). Foster deserved the Oscar for a perfect performance. She is one of the main reasons the film works so well.

Based on a true story, the film depicts the case, which was brought against three men who cheered on the assault. Kelly McGillis (TOP GUN, WITNESS) plays the reserved DA Kathryn Murphy, who puts her career on the line by prosecuting the cheerers. After making a deal with rapists, Murphy feels guilt for not letting Tobias tell her story.
Read the rest of this entry »

Check Out the Trailer

This film really shouldn’t be that good. Most of the film is exposition, people just talking about what has happened. However, the brilliance of the film is that it’s not boring for a second. Oliver Stone has truly made a masterpiece. Along with his editor and sound designer, they have crafted a visually thrilling journey through the labyrinthine plot against the president. As the plot unravels, the scenes pick up speed and the editing becomes more jagged. The sound becomes layered with a subtle ticking clock underneath.

The other driving force is the cast, which is loaded with amazing performances. Kevin Costner as DA Jim Garrison is the central reason the film works. Costner has been known to dial in a performance or two, but when he gets a role he really cares about (see DANCES WITH WOLVES and all three of his baseball films) he really drives home a powerful, convincing performance. Garrison is his best and he really grabs you with his “man in search of the truth” passion. There’s a great character scene close to the end when the film slows down a bit (like reaching the eye of the storm) where Garrison can open up to his wife (Sissy Spacek, IN THE BEDROOM). That quiet scene leads right into the courthouse climax where Costner really excels. His closing monologue is one of the best ever — just listen for the quiver in his voice. Plus, Stone throws at us one of my favorite shots in movie history when Garrison finishes his speech and looks directly into the camera to include the audience in on the fight for justice.

Read the rest of this entry »