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Written by: David Mamet screenplay & Barry Reed (based upon the novel by) & Jay Presson Allen (uncredited)
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
A medical malpractice lawsuit presents a small-time lawyer with a chance to redeem his once-promising career.
Verdict
Newman is always fun to watch, and in this he's a lawyer that's pursuing in case in part to make up for past mistakes and also because it's lucrative. He faces several hurdles, not least of which is a superior defense team, but as he states it's not over until the jury provides a verdict. He went into this case for the wrong reasons, but by the end he just wants justice.
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Review
Alcoholic lawyer Frank's (Paul Newman) practice is in decline. His friend Mickey gives him a medical malpractice case out of sympathy. It's a good case, and Frank needs it, but his friend tells him they're done after this. His friend is disappointed that Frank is throwing his life away. He'll provide one more easy case in the hopes that Frank will wake up.
Frank's client is Deborah, a woman in a coma after childbirth. Her sister wants to sue for enough money to take care of Deborah. Frank plans to settle, meaning everyone will get the money they want. He's excited about the payout, but he's distressed when he visits Deborah in the hospital. Even when the Catholic diocese who owns the hospital offers him more than he expected, he hesitates. He doesn't want to take advantage of Deborah who has lost everything. Taking the settlement is doing that. He wants justice, and no one expected Frank to pursue this though they know it's the right thing. The diocese has a team of lawyers, Frank just has his friend Mickey.
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| Paul Newman plays Frank |
This case is Frank trying to make up for his past mistakes while also seeking justice for Deborah. Even with a consulting doctor telling Frank the doctors killed Deborah, this isn't an easy case. The family is mad he didn't settle. The judge tries convincing Frank to settle. The diocese's lawyer argues that his doctors want to go to court and get vindication. We know it's not true and just a ploy to coerce Frank. The defense is working every angle. Frank's star witness goes on indefinite vacation. This is David versus Goliath, and Frank begins to doubt. He's not likely to win this case, and his past certainly shades opinions of him.
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| Paul Newman plays Frank |
In the courtroom Frank faces every hurdle imaginable. His best witness reveals what actually happened and has evidence. That's dismissed and stricken from the record. The judge is actively hurting Frank's case. As Frank said earlier in the movie, all you can do is argue your case. When people step into that jury box, you have to make them think "maybe" because they want to believe.
He gives an impassioned closing argument, as much for his case as for himself. He's finally living up to his potential. After that, it's just a matter of the jury's decision. Regardless of the verdict, maybe this case can be a turning point in Frank's life.
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