Review of The Judge (2014) by Joel M — 21 Dec 2014

Before I provide my final verdict for "The Judge", I must confess that I did not think Director David Dobkin had it in him to direct a serious drama. Dobkin is known for directing such comedies as "Wedding Crashers" and "The Change Up"; while they are fun flicks, they are not exactly challenging to the cerebral cortex."The Judge" is not perfect, it does have some monotonous scenes that should have been sentenced back to the editing room. But nevertheless, Dobkin did hold court pretty moderately in his orchestration of "The Judge". The movie stars Robert Downey Jr. as Chicago hotshot lawyer Hank Palmer. Hank goes back to his small hometown in Indiana for his mother's funeral. Hank's father is the town judge, Joseph Palmer; portrayed by the great Robert Duvall. Hank and Joseph have had a rocky relationship for years. When unexpectedly Joseph is arrested for murder, Hank decides to represent him even though daddy judge objects to that at first. Vincent D'Onorfio plays Hank's family-man brother Glen, and Jeremy Strong plays Hank's youngest brother Dale who has brain damage due to an accident that happened years ago with Hank being behind the wheel. The lovely Vera Farmiga also joins in the jury of supporting acting here portraying Hank's high school sweetheart Samantha. Billy Bob Thornton also makes a showing as the hard-knock prosecuting attorney Dwight Dickham, whose hard edge ways pretty much make him the first syllable of the character's last name. The muscle behind "The Judge" is most definitely the outstanding supporting performance from Robert Duvall, and the solid leading work from Robert Downey Jr. "The Judge" is guilty of a very few filmmaking flaws, but in no way would I object for anyone to view "The Judge", and let you judge it for yourself.

**** Good.