Review of The Devil's Advocate (1997) by Jacob F — 29 Apr 2011

Al Pacino at his Finest. Definitely in my personal list of favorite movies starring Al Pacino. Although Keanu Reeves gets knocked more then he gets praised and the role of "Kevin Lomax" was originally created for Brad Pitt, who turned it down and then rumor had it that Christian Slater, John Cusack and Edward Norton were then considered ahead of Keanu Reeves. I personally feel Keanu gives the performance of a life time, he is perfectly cast opposite Al Pacino. The two obviously possess a perfectly matched chemistry when sharing the screen. No one can deny how electric the final confrontation scene between them.

The Devil's advocate is one of those movies you watch the first time just to see the climax, then with repeated viewing you pick up on the message of humanity and sin. Al Pacino plays the role of Satan in a very powerful and believable manner. The exchange between Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino towards the end of the film may upset a few people's religious beliefs but man is it entertaining to watch. Al Pacino as Satan really makes you think and nod your head in agreement. Warning....Al Pacino is so convincing he may make some people start questioning their own beliefs.

Keanu Reeves is at his best when confronting Satan as if he is playing poker with him. In the end he succumbs to vanity as all humans do from time to time. I think that Keanu portrayed the stages of Kevin Lomax well. He goes from a small town southern lawyer who never questions why he never loses a case, to a big city attorney who hears revelations from his mother about his father and sees his wife commit suicide. In the end, Kevin Lomax uses one of Satan's lines, "free will", against him. This is an excellent film worth seeing again and again.