- Pope Francis: Servant or Enemy of Christ?
- Who and what is SHECHEM in the Bible? Biblical events and archaeological discoveries
- THE TREE OF LIFE— What is it? Where is it? When will we see it?
- Sinners
- The Amateur
- The Last Supper
- Snow White
- Novocaine
- Mickey 17
- Captain America: Brave New World
- Paddington in Peru
- Love Hurts
- Flight Risk
Hugh Jackman, Australian actor, singer, producer—“Deadpool and Wolverine ,” “Les Misérables,” “The Prestige,” “X-Men” series, “Real Steel,” “Kate & Leopold” • Faith: “I’m a Christian” (2015); he also practices Transcendental Meditation daily. Jackson’s father is reportedly a devout, born-again Christian, saved through a Billy Graham crusade. In his 20s, Hugh participated in the School of Practical Philosophy, a philosophical system of Hinduism promoting meditation. Hugh is reportedly an active philanthropist.
Jennifer Lawrence, American actress, producer—“No Hard Feelings,” “Mother!”, “Red Sparrow,” “The Hunger Games” 1-3, “X-Men: First Class” 1-2, “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”. • Faith: Agnosticism, Secularism, raised in Christianity • Worldview: Progressive Liberalism, Feminism (activist), Pro-Abortion (activist), LGBTQ+ supporter and speaker at 2024 GLAAD Media Awards • Time listed her in 2013 as one of the world’s 100 most influential people
Please take a moment now to pray for these influential people (prayer suggestions).
The Verdict
for unspecified reasons.
Reviewed by: Brett Willis
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teen to Adult |
| Genre: | Courtroom Drama |
| Length: | 2 hr. 2 min. |
| Year of Release: | 1982 |
| USA Release: |
December 8, 1982 |
| Featuring | Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason |
| Director |
Sidney Lumet |
| Producer | David Brown, Richard D. Zanuck |
| Distributor |
This story, of an outgunned lawyer seeking redemption for himself and justice for his client by taking on a giant bad-guy entity in court, is a forerunner of later films such as “The Rainmaker,” “A Civil Action” and “Erin Brockovich.” It shows the fine touch of director Sidney Lumet (“12 Angry Men” (1957), “Running On Empty,” “A Stranger Among Us”) and was nominated for several Oscars.
Frank Gavin (Paul Newman), an alcoholic lawyer who’s been reduced to ambulance chasing, lands a case involving possible medical malpractice during childbirth. At some point (apparently while photographing the institutionalized, comatose woman), he crosses over from being in the case only for the money to getting emotionally involved. He has to do a lot of digging to get to the truth (if he didn’t, what fun would the story be?).
Content Warnings: There’s quite a bit of profanity. Gavin’s associate Mickey Morrissey (Jack Warden) has an especially filthy mouth, triggering the R rating. it’s implied that Gavin sleeps with a woman he picks up in a bar (after turning his ex-wife’s photo so she can’t “see” them). The stakes are high, and the defendants and their chief lawyer (James Mason) play real hardball with the case (I’ll leave it at that, lest I give the storyline away).
Watch for young Bruce Willis as an “extra” in the courtroom.
Although there are inaccuracies in the legal procedures, this is a good example of the David vs. Goliath plot. Not based on a particular true story, but worthwhile as mature entertainment.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Christian Spotlight reviews are those of the reviewers themselves, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Christian Answers.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5