Brilliant performances by Paul Newman and Wilford Brimley
Added 10/25/2009
This is a tremendously good movie. It focuses on the harm that an overreaching Federal Government and an irresponsible press can inflict on an innocent private citizen. Paul Newman plays Michael Gallagher, an honest but tough private citizen whose deceased father was a bootlegger and loan shark. A viciously ambitious FBI agent leaks it to the press that Michael Gallagher is under investigation for the death of a labor leader. The press runs with it (Sallie Field, in a competent but not great performance) and suddenly Gallagher's life is being besmirched on the front page of the newspapers. As this process continues lives are ruined, Gallagher's business is decimated, and more would be telling. The storyline here never drags, and every scene is critical to the story. This film is quite literally riveting.
Wilford Brimley makes a fabulous entrance into this film at the end, and without giving anything away, it is a wonderful performance by Brimley, who appears to be the only character here who is truly interested in either common sense or justice. The way he makes sense out of a terrible miscarriage of justice is heart-warming. If only real life worked that way. The rest of the supporting cast is excellent. I was not impressed with Field, in this role. She seemed one-dimensional and not really the right character type for this role. Nor was the chemistry between Newman and Field of much use to the story.
The highlight of this film are the performances by Newman and Brimley. Newman is perfect as the rough-hewn but honest Michael Gallagher, and Brimley, as discussed, is brilliant. The real message of this film is the importance of a responsible press and responsible Federal agents. There are too few of either. This film is as relevant as today's headlines and always will be.
A five-star film in all respects. RJB.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Presence of Talent
Added 9/4/2009
A very talented lineup for a great movie and storyline. Paul Newman, Sally Field, Melinda Dillon, Wilford Brimley and a delightfully slimy Bob Balaban top the roster in this head on assault of newsreporting and responsibility. Newman plays the son trying to get past his criminal father's reputation. Balaban is the field operative trying to break an old case involving the disappearance of a labor organizer and uses eager beaver reporter Fields to try to flush out information. Dillon is the lifelong friend of Newman who gets innocently caught in the crossfire and when this happens Newman sets a plan in motion to make everyone pay.
The performance by Wilford Brimley alone is worth the price of admission as the U.S. Attorney sent to Miami "to find out what in the Good Christ - excuse me Angie - is going on...". Priceless.
Not a perfect movie but it will definitely hold your interest. This one is a PLAY!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
An excellent depiction of the corruptness of journalism
Added 8/10/2009
This makes a sharp point regarding slander in journalism. A must see for all would-be journalists.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Timeless classic!
Added 7/20/2009
This is an excellent movie in and of itself, and also a must see for any Paul Newman or Sally Field fans.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Outstanding in several ways
Added 6/5/2009
I am a major movie buff owning over 700 in my library. While this film (which is an excellent film) would not crack my top 20 it has my single favorite scene in the movies. In a movie with an interesting plot that has fine performances by Newman, Fields and Balaban, Wilford Brimley has a 5 minute cameo scene near the end that is acting at it's absolute finest and thoroughly enjoyable to watch and appreciate.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Great Movie
Added 10/18/2009
I loved the movie..and the very fast service..The Verdict is a classic, and as usual, AMAZON had it...Thanks..Leta
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A striking performance by Newman with an all-star cast
Added 8/8/2009
"The Verdict" is one of the all-time great courtroom films. The basic storyline involves Paul Newman as a broken-down ambulance-chasing plaintiff's attorney who nonetheless has gotten hold of an excellent medical malpractice case. The Newman character had a streak of very bad luck earlier in his career, and is now an alcoholic wreck, neglecting his law practice as he descends into failure.
One of the interesting things about this film is that unlike most legal flicks, this one involves a civil suit rather than a criminal case. And it handles it, for the most part, very well. In the story Newman totally botches the case in most respects. I did think that the movie's handling of the issues Newman had with the Judge was somewhat unrealistic (no lawyer would speak to a Judge that way). Setting these nits aside, this is nonetheless a fine film and an engaging storyline. I would like to list some of the technical inaccuracies about the trial and litigation process as this film presents them, but I will not for fear of introducing spoilers.
Newman fully explores his range as an actor, a great actor, in this film. In most of his films he plays an assertive, aggressive type. Here, he is hesitant, lacking in confidence--in fact he is a failing wreck who has been defeated by life and past villains. He pulls it off brilliantly, and his characterization is highly believable. This is an Oscar-caliber performance, although Newman was edged out in 1982 when the film hit the theaters.
James Mason pulls a bravo performance as the "Prince of Darkness" defense counsel. I always enjoy Mason, and in this film he does not disappoint.
No one should miss this one. It is one of the greats.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
The Verdict
Added 8/1/2009
In a word: "Riveting". A 1982 release with a great cast. Whoever stole the Oscar from Paul Newman that year after THIS performance should be exiled! No "special effects": just great acting, great story, and a timeless film that is very much underappreciated.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
