Review of The Devil's Advocate (1997) by Halvor P — 15 Aug 2009

A film which miraculously circumnavigates its many obstacles to deliver a supernatural drama that is thoroughly engrossing and entertaining.

Keanu Reeves does an above-average job as Kevin Lomax, a defense attorney whose flexible ethics make him a formidable opponent for any prosecutor in the courtroom. After successfully defending a pederast, Kevin is called upon by the New York law firm Milton, Chadwick & Waters, a powerful firm of legal eagles who want to bring Kevin aboard to act as advisor on a case involving Santeria.

Kevin accepts, uprooting his life and wife (Charlize Theron) to reside in New York. There, they meet the firm's leader, John Milton (Al Pacino), a sinister, ambiguous character who, despite nurturing Kevin's skills and instincts, is a bit too interested in Kevin's future. Soon, the young attorney is given a place at the firm, acting as legal defense for a hated millionaire (Craig T. Nelson) accused of killing his wife and maid.

Despite some awkward, heavy-handed symbolism, director Taylor Hackford does a good job of depicting the increasingly bizarre circumstances in which Kevin finds himself. As his career advances, his personal life falls apart, with Mary Ann experiencing horrifying satanic visions and people mysteriously dying around him.