Top 5 Legal Drama Movies
Legal and courtroom dramas have always been a staple of Hollywood and
independent film making. They are thrilling and you learn some things along the
way. With authors such as John Grisham, Michael Connelly and Scott Turow
producing some of the best selling novels in this category, Hollywood has taken
legal dramas to the big screen. I take a look at the five best legal dramas
that have changed the face of the courtroom drama.
Number
5: The Client (1994)
The movie
is based on the novel of the same name by John Grisham. Starring Susan Sarandon
and Tommy Lee Jones, it tells the story of two young brothers who accidentally
witness the suicide of mob lawyer Jerome Clifford. Clifford revealed before his
death to Mark (the older of the two boys) that he is taking his own life
instead of being murdered by the nephew of the local kingpin. It becomes clear
to the mob that Clifford may have also revealed the location of the body of a
senator that was killed by them. The younger of the two boys is hospitalised
with shock and his older brother Mark seeks out a lawyer to help protect him.
In her
Academy Award nomination role, Sarandon is the recovering alcoholic lawyer that
Mark eventually finds. Tommy Lee Jones stars as a narcissistic US attorney that
is trying to solve the case to further his own career. The script is well
paced, brilliantly acted and exciting to watch. Each of the characters become
desperate to save themselves within their own terrifying situation. The film
is notable for it being the late Brad Renfro’s debut feature film as Mark Sway.
Number 4: Primal
Fear (1996)
A relatively
unknown gem starring Richard Gere as Martin Vail, a big shot defence attorney
in Chicago and Edward Norton’s debut feature as Vail’s client Aaron Stampler.
Stampler is arresting after fleeing the scene of the murder of beloved
Archbishop Rushman. Vail takes on Stampler pro-bono relishing the media
publicity that the case will bring. It soon appears to Vail that Stampler is
innocent much to the disagreement of the prosecuting lawyer (and Vail’s former
lover) Janet Venable (Laura Linney).
Some
critics have accused the film of being lacklustre with an over the top side
plot to keep the viewers interested, however, what is fantastic about this film
is the performance of a young Edward Norton. He steals the show from veterans
Gere and John Mahoney (Fraiser) as the troubled alter boy who
hides a very dark secret. This has a few fantastic scenes particularly one
between Norton and Gere in the police holding cell.
Number 3: A
Time to Kill (1996)
Another
John Grisham adaptation on my list. A star studded cast that includes Matthew
McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, Keifer Sutherland
and Donald Sutherland. Set in a fictitious bible belt town in Mississippi, the
first part of the film tells the story of the rape of a young black girl by two
white hicks who are then murdered by her father Samuel L. Jackson. The second
part of the film deals with Jackson’s defence by young lawyer Jake Briggance
(McConaughey).
Although
this film shamelessly tugs on the aul heartstrings, it doesn’t demean the film
in the slightest. Its an enthralling watch by a great cast and good script.
John Grisham worked with the writers of the film, but wasn’t entirely satisfied
with the end product. The book does differ quite a lot from the book but still
manages to keep the basic plot going. A great watch.
Number 2: A
Few Good Men (1992)
A screen
adaptation by Aaron Sorkin (writer of The West Wing) based on his own play of the same name, the film stars Tom
Cruise as LTJG Daniel Kaffee as a bright inexperienced Naval lawyer who leads
the defence of two court-martialed marines for the murder of their fellow
marine.
Say what
you will about Tom Cruise, he delivers an amazing performance as Kaffee,
perhaps his best performance. His personal life and his religious beliefs
shadow how talented of a dramatic actor Cruise is. The film is gripping and
wastes no time on unnecessary sub-plots or images for the sake of it. It
quickly paced and Jack Nicholson does a fantastic turn as the villain (who’d
have thought!). Cruise and Nicholson have a good supporting cast in Demi Moore,
Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon and Kevin Pollack. The film
is noted for it’s infamous line “You can’t handle the truth!”.
Number 1: To
Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
My number
one legal drama film is based on the novel by Harper Lee, and is considered a
golden oldie by our generation. Even if you were made read the book for your
Junior Certificate just like I was, there’s no doubt that it left an impression
on you good or bad. The same can be said of this film. Gregory Peck delivers
the finest performance of his long and prolific career as lawyer Atticus Finch,
defending a black man in 1930s for the rape of a young woman. The film also
follows Finch’s children and their fascination with their neighbour Boo Radley
around whom many urban legends have started.
Peck’s
performance is seen as one of the great performances of all time. Harper Lee
even stated herself that he was perfect for the role. The film is preserved by
the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or
aesthetically significant”. I strongly urge everyone to see this film. Do not
be put off by it’s age or the fact that it’s in black and white, this is a
wonderful film, that is very near perfect. Atticus Finch may even turn out to
be your hero after watching it. The film
is the screen debut of legendary actor Robert Duvall.
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| Gregory Peck and Brock Peters in a court scene in 'To kill a mockingbird' Source: www.frankwbaker.com |
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