The Verdict

C+

Well this is a disappointment. I've reviewed every movie I watched in the last 2 weeks (that means I've only watched 3...) and none of them has been appealing. I borrowed The Verdict feeling exhilarated. This looked like the movie that would really be the first good thing I've seen in weeks. Paul Newman starring in a Sidney Lumet movie that is written by David Mamet, how bad can it get? Well, not as good as it could have been either.

Paul Newman plays Frank Galvin, an attorney at law close reaching rock bottom who spends his time ambulance chasing between shots of booze and handling the pinball machine. When a case of an impossible-to-lose medical negligence lands on him, he is ready to accept the handsomely offered settlement and bag his fees. However, a visit to his terminally dead client evokes his conscience and he obsesses to finally get back on his feet and go to trial. What he hasn't seen is that the impossible-to-lose case just becomes impossible-to-win as his star and sole witness bailed to the Carribean and the defendant is represented by powerhouse lawyers, not to mention that he is rusty at the wheels and deals of the court justice. Throughout all this, he is assisted by girlfriend Laura (Charlotte Rampling) and partner Mickey (Jack Warden); and Frank learns that reclaiming his character doesn't come with an easy case.

As a courthouse thriller, this movie offers nothing extraordinary. There are the usual cliches such as the throwing out of a key testimony, witnesses reluctant of testifying, the David VS Golliath set up and the less than impartial judge. As a character study, this isn't sharp or bold enough for us to really see into Frank's phsyche. As an underdog story, this works least of all with an ending that is too sweet to be believable.

Newman brings out a depth to Frank that maintains the movie from drowning. Frank Galvin is human, after all, and we believe and feel his inner turmoil as he uses this case to safe his soul. James Mason plays defense lawyer Concannon with the right mix of wryness and force. Rampling plays the romantic interest with ease. Other supporting cast, such as Jack Warden and Milo O'Shea are adequate.

There was a time when I held Sidney Lumet more highly than Steven Spielberg. But the disapointment of Power and Family Business (which was my 3rd and 4th Lumet movie) changed all that. And The Verdict constantly reminds me of Power. There are times when things just meander unnecessarily. And this movie could and should have been 20 minutes shorter, Lumet's pace in each scene is too self-consciously slow. After watching the movie, one has the distinct impression that the content of The Verdict is too lean to fit the 2hour plus running length.

I'm surprised to find The Verdict nominated for 5 academy awards. At least 2 of them are undeserved - best director and best picture. The Verdict is trying to say somethings. The redemption of a human soul, and the grey area that smears the whole justice system as well as the human heart. To some extent Lumet achieves what it aims for, only not as expressly and strongly as they could be presented.