Amazon.com Essentials:
In this 1982 courtroom drama written by David Mamet and
directed by Sidney Lumet, Paul Newman found the perfect role for a
transitional period of his stellar career. As alcoholic Boston lawyer
Frank Galvin, Newman shook off his screen persona as a handsome,
blue-eyed hunk to portray an aging, weary man whose best years are
behind him, with a shot-glass future that looks very bleak indeed. But
when Galvin is given a chance to redeem himself--by proving medical
negligence in the case of a comatose woman--he makes one final effort
to regain his self-respect and tarnished reputation. He's an underdog
against formidable odds, facing a powerful, politically connected
lawyer (James Mason, slick as ever) who will do anything to win his
case, regardless of professional ethics. Further complicating matters
is a woman (Charlotte Rampling) who only appears to be worthy of
Galvin's trust and love, until Galvin's best friend and colleague
(Jack Warden) proves otherwise. Excellent as both courtroom drama and
riveting character study, the film crackles with Mamet's sharp
dialogue; and Lumet's direction is a brilliant example of forceful
restraint. The film gave Newman one of the best roles of his career;
many felt he deserved the Oscar (he lost to Ben Kingsley in
Gandhi) that would belatedly be given to Newman for The Color of
Money). Along with Hud, Cool Hand Luke,
and Butch Cassidy and
the Sundance Kid, The Verdict ranks highly as a
signature performance by one of America's all-time greatest
actors. --Jeff Shannon
