The Verdict: Riveting Law Drama

Movie Review: The Verdict (1982) on HBO/Max 👌

I saw The Verdict in theaters in 1982 and it was one of the best dramas I had ever seen. Recently I listened to a film podcast by Full Cast and Crew that focused on the brilliant performance of lead actor Paul Newman and it brought back all the memories of this exceptional film. So I watched it again on HBO/Max and it hasn't lost any of its dramatic power, so many years later. (See official movie trailer below.) 

    What the podcaster says is, this film contains brilliant performances by all the actors, indeed by everyone on the cast and crew. It's one of those perfect films. So if you get a chance to see The Verdict, see it. The only thing that doesn't age well in this film are the vehicles filmed naturally in the streets of Boston and New York City. But that would be true in any film. Everything else holds up.

    Paul Newman plays Frank Galvin, an "outcast, alcoholic Boston lawyer" as imDb.com describes him, who "sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settle." Of course, it's more than that. Way more than that. As is often the case, what Galvin seeks is redemption. Throughout the story, he comes to pit the outcome of the trial first against how much he is likely to earn in a quick settlement and then in what he can win in redemption of his soul as a human being.

    At his side is perennial character actor Jack Warden as Mickey, another lawyer who at first brings Galvin the case to "throw him a bone," then helps him litigate when Galvin finds the going getting tough. They find themselves at odds with sinister forces who just want to settle the case and move on, including the Archdiocese of Boston in the person of Bishop Brophy (Edward Binns), the opposing counsel who represents the Archdiocese, Ed Concannon (James Mason), and a judge who often sides with defense to the point of favoritism, Judge Hoyle (Milo O'Shea). All these are fine veteran actors at the top of their game.

    Not all is as it seems in this case. A patient now lives in a vegetable state with no friends, little family, and no advocates for her future. Her sister and her boyfriend just want to settle the case and move on, too. The doctors who led to her state care more to move on than explore justice. And opposing counsel is known for pulling questionable tactics to win their cases. And Galvin isn't in top form as an attorney.

    Galvin turns down the settlement. He thinks he can win the case. But things keep getting in the way, by hook or by crook. You feel for this poor man, for so long destitute professionally and personally, at the end of his rope and yet just within reach of redemption. You pull for him, even as despicable as he sometimes seems. 

    The rest of this supporting cast play critical roles, too. Sally Doneghy (Roxanne Hart), the patient's sister, so insecure and yet hopeful. Laura Fischer (Charlotte Rampling), a mysterious woman always asking questions but at Galvin's side at critical moments. Maureen Rooney (Julie Bovasso), an attending nurse who refuses to testify but knows an important secret. And Kaitlin Costello (Lindsay Crouse), the admitting nurse who can't be found. 

    If you want a riveting drama, if you want acting at the top of its game, if you want a story you won't guess the outcome of till the very end, see The Verdict. 

The Verdict movie trailer through YouTube:

Cars 3: Pixar Has Kept the Magic Alive in This Second Sequel

Movie Review: Cars 3 (2017)
Version: In-theater 2-D

Finally made it to a cinema to see a movie again, and this time I took my daughter to see Cars 3. Pixar Animation Studios kept the magic alive in this second sequel to the original Cars, bringing back all the memorable characters from it and adding a few new ones.

The gist of Cars 3 is that as fast as Lightning McQueen was to win in his rookie year in Cars and his follow-up win in Cars 2, he can't keep up with the new generation of racers in this new episode. He turns back to the lessons he learned from old Doc Hudson, but there just isn't enough umph in the tank to get him to a win this time. He has a new sponsor and, with it, a new trainer. But things aren't working out at the top-of-the-line facilities, so they go old style, meeting a quirky crew of old timers who help McQueen seek out another big win. What he learns is that there is more to being a winner than crossing a finish line first. It's a great family film with lessons for everyone that don't smack you in the face with morality, just good life lessons learned watching fun characters given life through amazing digital animation.

Pixar retained the talents of Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Bonnie Hunt as Sally, Paul Newman as Doc Hudson, Larry the Cable Guy as Tow Mater, and others from Cars, then introduced us to a smattering of great new voice talent, including Cristela Alonzo as trainer Cruz, Chris Cooper as Smokey, and Armie Hammer as McQueen's new rival, Jackson Storm. There really are too many wonderful characters and voice talents to adequately recognize in this fun family film.

The animation is fantastic, as usual, loaded with color and motion and wonderful imagination, including the requisite visual and textual puns and sight gags. In fact, if you haven't seen Cars 3 yet, or if you go to see it again, make sure you stay through the closing credits and read the fake ad posters along the edges of the credits -- if you can read them quickly enough.

The animated short that plays before Cars 3, titled LOU, is a blast, too. It's about a playground bully who is taught an important lesson by a very active playground LOST AND FOUND box. It's great fun!

Beat the heat some mid-summer day or evening and treat yourself to Cars 3. It's family fun for everyone.