Review of A Civil Action (1998) by Lee M — 08 Nov 2007
"In the realm of personal injury, a forty year old white professional, severely injured in his prime is the most lucrative kind of client. The least lucrative? Well, a dead child is worth the least of all".
These lines begin the film, "A Civil Action" based on the true-story novel of the same name. Travolta is Jan Schlictmann, a hotshot lawyer who fights the good fight and flushes his life down the drain as a result.
Most impressive is Robert Duvall as Facher, the eccentric antagonist who has long resigned to the fact that emotional involvement is a gross disservice to the client. His lack of idealism comes in a reply to Schlictmann's comment that his side will win because the Jury will see "the truth".
"The Truth" Facher replies. "I thought we were talking about a court of law". This film has much of the same subject matter as "Erin Brokovich" but wasn't nearly as succesful due its not quite so rosy ending and message.
In fact, this may be the most real to life hollywoodized version of legal practive that I have ever seen. A good cause and an impassioned lawyer do not a good case make. Law is about procedure and financial backing.
You come out this film wanting to emulate Schlictmann as a man and Facher as a lawyer.
This review of A Civil Action (1998) was written by Lee M on 08 Nov 2007.
A Civil Action has generally received positive reviews.
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