Review of The Verdict (1982) by Matthew H — 06 Feb 2015
Directed by Sidney Lumet, (12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and Network (1976)), based on the 1980 novel by Barry Reed, adapted here by David Mamet (The Untouchables (1987) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)), this courtroom drama is a powerhouse example of sterling acting, featuring a wonderful cast and blessed with a great script.
It still stands up today as a powerful drama. Set in Boston, lawyer Frank Galvin (Paul Newman) was once a top graduate of Boston College Law School and worked for a top legal firm in Boston. Now, he's down on his luck, an alcoholic and is what you'd call an ambulance chaser.
His former colleague and old friend Mickey (Jack Warden) gives him a medical malpractice case out of sympathy. It seems like an open and shut case, with a quick settlement expected and a source of income for Galvin.
But the more Galvin looks into it, he unearths a web of lies and skulduggery with a woman in a coma. He's put up against the hospital's top lawyer Ed Concannon (James Mason) as well. It's very well made with good dialogue and some familiar faces in the cast including Charlotte Rampling and Milo O'Shea, but Newman gives an assured and world weary performance as the has-been lawyer.
It was tipped as a top Oscar contender, but it was put up against Gandhi (1982). Oh, well...
This review of The Verdict (1982) was written by Matthew H on 06 Feb 2015.
The Verdict has generally received very positive reviews.
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