Cate (Kate Beckinsale) is a lawyer on probation. She is also an alcoholic, and is fighting for custody of her daughter. Cate is assigned to defend Lacey Stubbs (Anna Anissimova) who has been accused of murder and was also raped by a prison guard.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a good drama where the hero or heroine isn't a recovering alcoholic, a druggy, in a custody fight, is argumentative and also somewhat of a loose canon? Well, dream on this is what sells today. Hey, I bought it (okay rented it). Hollywood likes heroes with warts because they believe everyone has warts. Oh, all that doesn't apply to Cate, but some of it does.
Anyway, this is a good drama about a driven lawyer who has personal problems that she needs to overcome. Keep in mind the title above as the word TRIALS is pertinent. It's plural.
In the beginning she says she doesn't concern herself if her client is guilty or innocent, and later has a change of heart, but can she overcome the politics, lies, the good old boys and the system?
Oh, the language: As I got into this I couldn't help think that Ms Beckinsale took the role so she could spew F-bombs all over the place. She seemed to relish in this. I may be wrong, but there were too many F-bombs by her. Too many.
Ms Beckinsale does a very credible job without going overboard into melancholy or self-pity. OK, maybe a little bit. She carries this movie perfectly.
Still, this is a good drama with a very good supporting cast with special shout-outs going to James Cromwell, and Nick Nolte who are always good. Although this is a very good drama James Cromwell makes it even better. Am beginning to think of him as the best actor in Hollywood and this is with apologies to Clint Eastwood who says Morgan Freeman is the best actor on the planet. Hey, there's room for both.
Now, I need to go see what I can do about my warts. HA ! (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Yes, too much of it.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a good drama where the hero or heroine isn't a recovering alcoholic, a druggy, in a custody fight, is argumentative and also somewhat of a loose canon? Well, dream on this is what sells today. Hey, I bought it (okay rented it). Hollywood likes heroes with warts because they believe everyone has warts. Oh, all that doesn't apply to Cate, but some of it does.
Anyway, this is a good drama about a driven lawyer who has personal problems that she needs to overcome. Keep in mind the title above as the word TRIALS is pertinent. It's plural.
In the beginning she says she doesn't concern herself if her client is guilty or innocent, and later has a change of heart, but can she overcome the politics, lies, the good old boys and the system?
Oh, the language: As I got into this I couldn't help think that Ms Beckinsale took the role so she could spew F-bombs all over the place. She seemed to relish in this. I may be wrong, but there were too many F-bombs by her. Too many.
Ms Beckinsale does a very credible job without going overboard into melancholy or self-pity. OK, maybe a little bit. She carries this movie perfectly.
Still, this is a good drama with a very good supporting cast with special shout-outs going to James Cromwell, and Nick Nolte who are always good. Although this is a very good drama James Cromwell makes it even better. Am beginning to think of him as the best actor in Hollywood and this is with apologies to Clint Eastwood who says Morgan Freeman is the best actor on the planet. Hey, there's room for both.
Now, I need to go see what I can do about my warts. HA ! (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Yes, too much of it.