Review of 12 Angry Men (1957) by Tiberio S — 26 Jul 2016

Long before films like "Phone Booth" came along, Lumet's court-room (rather jury-room) drama epitomized the one-setting film.

Fonda is an architect, literally, I don't just mean the character Juror 8, but Fonda is an architect of the role. He analyzes problems using critical thinking and deductive reasoning more than anyone else on the jury has the ability to; he's the most mathematically sound to analyze real facts, while others are blinded by their prejudices. Blind, literally, watch how one juror plays with his glasses throughout, and when they talk about the witness who wasn't wearing her glasses when she supposedly "saw" the crime.

Later, at nearly an hour in, Juror 8 provides one of his most compelling cases by using blueprints of the accused's building and mapping out a timed sequence which determines whether or not claims against the accused can be justified. Nothing is an accident here, his being an architect proves useful in determining key facts. As a result, he achieves the unthinkable, turning it half and half by the magical one hour mark, 6-6. Lumet brilliantly breaks up the tension as the thickening heat turns to storm, rainfall settles the mood, signs of unity as Juror 1 and 8 work to close the window and share a personal moment.

Heat, storm, anger and tempers flaring, the coldest one never sweats. There's so much environment to make this a visual masterpiece, despite the idea seeming like nothing but dialogue at the onset.