Review of Reversal of Fortune (1990) by Zohar B — 23 Jun 2011

Jeremy Irons gives his most captivating and indelible performance, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in Leading Role, in what was in my mind, a compelling but by-the-numbers legal drama that chronicles the appelate procedures that eventually exonorated socialite Claus Von Bulow (Irons) of the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny Von Bulow (Glenn Close).

While the cast is certainly adept in their roles, particularly Ron Silver, as crusading defense attorney, Alan Dershovitz, it is Irons who without question steals every scene he is in. He embodies a lack of empathy, a sense of moral ambiguity that in spite of his charm, emanates powerfully, giving you the sense that not only is he guilty, but unrepentantly so.

His gaze is cold and penetrating, and it is his ability to embody such a sinister charater that lifts the entire production beyond the treshold of the ordinary.