True Believer (1989)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writer (WGA):

Wesley Strick (written by)

Release Date:

17 February 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Tagline:

When evidence leads to murder, sometimes it takes a dangerous man to free an innocent one.

Plot:

Eddie Dodd is a burnt out former civil rights lawyer who now specializes in defending drug dealers. Roger Baron...

Plot Keywords:

Law | Police | Corruption | Prison Gang | Prison

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

James Woods	...	Edward 'Eddie' Dodd
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Roger Baron
Margaret Colin	...	Kitty Greer
Yuji Okumoto	...	Shu Kai Kim
Kurtwood Smith	...	Robert Reynard
Tom Bower	...	Cecil Skell
Miguel Fernandes	...	Arturo 'Art' Esparza
Charles Hallahan	...	Vincent Dennehy
Sully Diaz	...	Maraquilla Esparza
Misan Kim	...	Mrs. Kim
John Snyder	...	Chuckie Loeder
Luis Guzmán	...	Ortega
Graham Beckel	...	Vinny Sklaroff
Tony Haney	...	David Montell
Joel Polis	...	Dean Rabin

Also Known As:

Fighting Justice (Philippines: English title)

Runtime:

105 min | USA:108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:M | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (f)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The character of Eddie Dodd was modeled after famed civil rights lawyer Tony Serra.

Goofs:

Continuity: When showing the original murder in flashbacks, the killer is standing five feet or more away from the body when he shoots him. When Dennehy tells Dodd and the flashback is shown beneath the bridge, the gun is aimed only a few inches from the previous bullet hole. A gun fired that close would leave burn marks and gunpowder residue on the victim's head, which would be incongruous with the eyewitness accounts of the actual murder.

Quotes:

Shu Kai Kim: My mother find you?
Eddie Dodd: That's right.
Shu Kai Kim: [disgusted] Figures.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Homer and Apu (#5.13)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

All Along The Watchtower

Justice is Blind!!

Edward Dodd played by James Woods is the disillusioned cynical criminal lawyer who has made a career fighting for ideals such as justice, freedom and equality for all. Fighting against the abuses of the legal system he though has realised that the only way he can protect the ideals he treasures so much is by representing uncouth drug dealers who do not appreciate what he does for them. All of sudden a young idealistic lawyer out of law school played by Robert Downey Jr, joins his firm in pursuit of the same ideals as Edward Dodd. The young lawyer, despite been an irritation to Dodd starts reminding him of the way he was when he started his law practise. One day in his disillusioned state a mother walks into Dodd's office asking him to defend her son who has been falsely accused and convicted of murder. The young lawyer convinces Dodd to take the case and suddenly Dodd's spirit is revived and there is meaning amongst all the hypocrisy once more. The two lawyers then embark on a perilous journey uncovering the truth behind corrupt police officers and state prosecutors who believe that the end justifies the means. Woods is brilliant with his emotional outbursts fighting for justice and fairness against a system which has let him down so many times. Downy portrays the young naive idealist to perfection. Lots of suspense and drama right to the court room climax guaranteed to keep you in suspense right to the end.