Engaging comedy/drama with a courtroom background. Has a sharp shift in tone between the first half and the second which makes sense in the course of the story but it is a quite a detour for the viewer to adjust to.
Judd Nelson has a certain charm but is not the most charismatic leading man but he is surrounded by quality performers who contribute excellent performances.
Elizabeth Perkins is fetching as Nelson's fiancée. Nancy Marchand the wry head of Stormy Weathers law firm providing a calm center when she's on screen. Darren McGavin and Alan Arbus each have a chance to sprinkle some funny bits to their scenes and Edward Winter has a high old time in a small role as a hot tempered bank president. But there are two actors who really stand out. First is Ray Walston as the judge in the initial trial whose flummoxed reactions are priceless and particularly John Hurt, exquisite as a seemingly benign college professor whose facade masks the fact that he's a homicidal maniac stealing every one of his scenes.
Not a great movie but a good one with a lively pace, just be prepared for that sudden change in the feeling of the film.
Judd Nelson has a certain charm but is not the most charismatic leading man but he is surrounded by quality performers who contribute excellent performances.
Elizabeth Perkins is fetching as Nelson's fiancée. Nancy Marchand the wry head of Stormy Weathers law firm providing a calm center when she's on screen. Darren McGavin and Alan Arbus each have a chance to sprinkle some funny bits to their scenes and Edward Winter has a high old time in a small role as a hot tempered bank president. But there are two actors who really stand out. First is Ray Walston as the judge in the initial trial whose flummoxed reactions are priceless and particularly John Hurt, exquisite as a seemingly benign college professor whose facade masks the fact that he's a homicidal maniac stealing every one of his scenes.
Not a great movie but a good one with a lively pace, just be prepared for that sudden change in the feeling of the film.