Review of The Paper Chase (1973) by Lanning : — 03 Dec 2006

Kingsfield: Mr. Hart, here is a dime. Call your mother. Tell her there is serious doubt about your becoming lawyer. Hart: You . . . are a son of a bitch, Kingsfield! Kingsfield: Mr. Hart! That is the most intelligent thing you've said today.

You may take your seat. I have been fascinated with this movie for many years. Everyone who aspires, even peripherally, to the study of the law, should watch this. No, I've never contemplated approaching the bar, much less passing it, so that's not the source of my fascination.

No, it's John Houseman. The entire cast is fantastic, but Houseman dominates this brilliant group of actors like a 1000 pound gavel cutting dead the noise of a disorderly courtroom. It's not as if he hadn't paid his dues either.

Among his many credits is assistant to Orson Welles on Citizen Kane. But he seemingly burst on the scene like an overnight sensation, despite his lifetime of service to the acting profession and to theater in general.

An amazing man. Very few actors playing very few roles have so commanded the screen with such an awesome presence. It's interesting to see Bottoms in this and then as the alcoholic father in Elephant.

Thirty years have passed, yet the talent remains solidly the same. And for those who want to see what gifted editing looks like, no movie ever made can surpass this one. Mr. Houseman, you are missed.