There is not a single performance that can be faulted in The Judge.
The cast is strong, talented and everyone gives their best. Everything else from photography, sets, locations, costumes and direction is top notch.
The thing that is horribly wrong with this movie - and with so many movies that have come out of Hollywood in the last two decades - is the writing. It's uninspired confused, dull and clichéd.
The device of 'wayward family member returning to family home to face dysfunctional family demons at wedding, funeral, whatever' was stale when Shakespeare was a lad, but it keeps getting dusted off, tarted up with a stellar cast and a hip soundtrack and dragged out to waft past yet another cinema audience. (August Osage County, anyone?) This film also manages to blend in some sub-standard court drama, a confusing side-line into incest (WTF?) and the inevitable resolution with hugs, meaningful looks and a dead body.
My only suggestion for this movie is turn it into a movie-buff drinking game. Cliché Bingo. You'll be squiffy before you lay eyes on the old hometown girlfriend who is still mysteriously single despite being gorgeous.
The cast is strong, talented and everyone gives their best. Everything else from photography, sets, locations, costumes and direction is top notch.
The thing that is horribly wrong with this movie - and with so many movies that have come out of Hollywood in the last two decades - is the writing. It's uninspired confused, dull and clichéd.
The device of 'wayward family member returning to family home to face dysfunctional family demons at wedding, funeral, whatever' was stale when Shakespeare was a lad, but it keeps getting dusted off, tarted up with a stellar cast and a hip soundtrack and dragged out to waft past yet another cinema audience. (August Osage County, anyone?) This film also manages to blend in some sub-standard court drama, a confusing side-line into incest (WTF?) and the inevitable resolution with hugs, meaningful looks and a dead body.
My only suggestion for this movie is turn it into a movie-buff drinking game. Cliché Bingo. You'll be squiffy before you lay eyes on the old hometown girlfriend who is still mysteriously single despite being gorgeous.