Review of The Verdict (1982) by Alvin Y — 14 Apr 2011

My Verdict on "The Verdict", well, you're gonna find out at the end of this review. In memory of two great people; Paul Newman and Sidney Lumet, this is the movie that I had a chance to see not because Lumet died recently, only because this is one of the best courtroom drama film I have ever seen. Lumet's "12 Angry Men", is also his masterpiece but this one shows a different story, and different characters even though you already know the characters in a courtroom drama film. This is also Newman's best performance to date since "Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid", and to his final film "Road to Perdition", as you see he doesn't only played a lawyer here, but also a person who tries to redeem his salvation and career if he wins the case that he's going into, and yes, at the end, he won his case. It's more of a character study than a typical John Grisham style courtroom thriller. And also why this film works, not because of the performances and the directing, but also to the great writing of David Mamet (this guy again, who made and written some great films like "House of Games"), you can see an intense dialogue in and out of the courtroom that you may not wish to go out for a break.

So, my verdict on this film, you know damn right, 5 stars. I want to also say that this film is dedicated to Lumet and Newman who were really great in this film and to their other works as well. Really, I'm gonna say it again my favorite critique quote one more time:

"I LIKE IT, I LIKE THE PERFORMANCES, AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR, TWO BIG ENTHUSIASTIC THUMBS WAY UP TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL.".