...And Justice for All. (1979)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

Valerie Curtin (written by) &
Barry Levinson (written by)

Release Date:

25 December 1979 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Crime

Tagline:

This man needs the best lawyer in town. But the problem is... he is the best lawyer in town.

Plot:

An ethical Baltimore defense lawyer disgusted with rampant legal corruption is asked to defend a judge he despises in a rape trial. But if he doesn't do it, the judge will have him disbarred.

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Rape | Attorney | Lawyer | Assault

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Al Pacino	...	Arthur Kirkland
Jack Warden	...	Judge Francis Rayford
John Forsythe	...	Judge Henry T. Fleming
Lee Strasberg	...	Sam Kirkland
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Jay Porter
Christine Lahti	...	Gail Packer
Sam Levene	...	Arnie
Robert Christian	...	Ralph Agee
Thomas G. Waites	...	Jeff McCullaugh (as Thomas Waites)
Larry Bryggman	...	Warren Fresnell
Dominic Chianese	...	Carl Travers
Craig T. Nelson	...	Frank Bowers
Victor Arnold	...	Leo Fasci
Vincent Beck	...	Officer Leary
Michael Gorrin	...	Elderly Man

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:M | France:Unrated | Brazil:16 | Argentina:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | Norway:16 | Peru:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The closing courtroom scene was filmed on the first take.

Goofs:

Continuity: The number of plates that Jay has changes.

Quotes:

[Judge Rayford fires a gun in his courtroom, drawing attention]
Judge Rayford: Gentlemen, need I remind you you're in a court of law?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The R.M. (2003)

Soundtrack:

Something Funny Goin' On

Excellent!

Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino) is one of the best lawyers of his time in New York City. What makes him one of the best is that not only is he very good at his job, but he is also honest with his job. Corruption is all around these days in New York, but Kirkland is determined to stay honest.

When a judge he dislikes gets accused for raping a prostitute, he is suspiciously chosen to be his lawyer. Judge Fleming is notorious for being a hardass jerk who is strictly by the numbers at the law. Because of this, one of Arthur's clients was wrongfully sent to jail. Arthur might be able to save his client and gain a lot of glory if he defends him. Now he must choose as his life becomes more increasingly difficult...

I took a chance with this movie, since it was Al pacino for $6.88 I decided to buy it. I bought it with the fact that Pacino never misses in mind. What I got was an amazing film about the law and life. The film basically chronicles Kirckland's life in 2 hours, showing him at his best, his most distressed, and his most triumphant. Pacino put a lot of life into his character, which earned him an Academy Award Nomination.

Because of this film being a cross between a very light comedy, drama and courtroom drama, the story's pace goes a little off sometimes. But in the final courtroom scene, no viewer will walk away without that soul lifting experience you get from a really good movie.

highly recommended. ***1/2 out of ****