Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Al Pacino film.., May 27, 2003
This film is a must-see for die-hard Pacino fans and should-see for fans interested in viewing an enjoyable film with a statement that remains timely over time. 'And Justice For All' is nearing one-quarter of a century in age and while Pacino has matured as an actor, his role in this film definitely deserved the nominations for the Oscar and Golden Globe that it garnered. The closing courtroom scene provided a very strong glimpse and more than a hint of the brilliance to come in Pacino's superior acting ability, as well as a striking and disturbing statement on the justice system. As billed this was a satire on the world of the courts and while not your normal courtroom film, it contained a revealing and bleak message. Reviewers who have indicated the incidents in this film were not realistic have much to learn about the inner workings of justice. This was a dire, but accurate depiction of the inner workings of courthouses all over the land. The cast was filled with an unbelievable array of actors, both new and seasoned, and famous and not-so-famous. The big-screen debut of Christian Lahti (Gail Packer)was not her best role and not necessarily the best co-star for Pacino; her performance was however adequate. Jack Warden (Judge Rayford) was comfortable and effective as a gruff old judge with a simultaneous death wish and a zeal for life. Jeffery Tambor (Jay Porter) gave a compelling performance as Pacino's partner pushed to a mental breaking point by the unfortunate outcome of a case where as an attorney Porter did what an attorney is paid to do. The late Robert Christian's (Ralph Agee) performance as a cross-dressing client was perhaps one of the best in the film; heartbreaking and very real. John Forsythe (Judge Henry Fleming), post 'Charlie's Angels' and 'Bachelor Father', but pre-'Dynasty' was smug and hard-nosed as both Pacino's courthouse adversary and deviant client. Craig T. Nelson (Frank Bowers), perhaps best known as Coach Hayden Fox, early in his career in this film was the DA Pacino meets in court in the final trial. Larry Bryggman (Warren Fresnell), probably recognized most as Dr. John Dixon of 'As The World Turns', but also a Shakespearean actor, has an important role as a less dedicated and passionate fellow attorney. Lee Stasberg (Sam Kirkland), famed drama coach to Pacino and so many other great actors, in his final role portrayed Pacino's grandfather in quite a touching and personal manner. Even Keith Andes (Marvin Bates), star of numerous movies in the 1950s, appeared. Many other actors appeared in the courthouses and jails of the film, fleshing out the multiple side stories that served to illustrate the injustices of justice. The commentary by Norman Jewison was created from 22-year old memories, but you have to give them credit for providing it, as many of DVDs of older films just skip commentaries or any special features. The public now looks forward to this personal insider-information about the making of our favorite films, and this one doesn't disappoint given the limitations of time and distance. This films displays the dynamic acting range of Pacino. While somewhat more low-key in some instances than in many of his later roles, Pacino appears comfortable in his portrayal of a caring, deeply passionate attorney and more than rises to the occasion when that passion is called upon to be displayed. He handles the humorous side of his role with ease. Pacino's appearance on David Letterman prior to the recent release of 'Simone' revealed his personal sense of humor and ability to be a very, very funny man. That innate comedic timing was visible in the role of Attorney Arthur Kirkland. "And Justice For All' uncovers the many broken spokes in the wheels of justice, entertains with humor and pathos, and leaves you with an true understanding of many of the inconsistencies and frustrating bureaucratic quagmires of the legal system that still exist nearly 25 years later. This was a film ahead of its time in regard to its message, and it gave us: Pacino on the edge of greatness; satire at its best; and entertainment that continues to prevail. Don't let lukewarm reviews of this solid offering deter you from seeing it; this is a film not to be missed.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pacino shines in courtroom satire, July 10, 2004
Ever since watching the Godfather films I've been a huge Al Pacino fan. His amazing over-the-top performance in the courtroom scene at the end is what makes this unsympathetic look at our criminal justice system so memorable. However, I agree with other reviewers that the plot is slow at times & the movie wavers uncomfortably between comedy & drama. The humor is at times a little too forced & the disco music doesn't help. One of the things I really enjoyed was seeing the great Lee Strasberg play Pacino's grandfather. Remember Godfather Part 2 when Pacino had Strasberg "taken out"? I only wish they could've made more films together. The great cast also includes John Forsythe (who plays a TOTALLY unlikable villian), & Jack Warden, whose suicidal antics get annoying after a while. Of course, it's Pacino that makes this movie so entertaining & so watchable 25 years later. While it's no masterpiece I still highly recommend it to Al Pacino fans (& especially lawyers!).
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
...And Justice For All (1979), July 3, 2006
Director: Norman Jewison
Cast: Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe, Lee Strasberg, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Lahti, Sam Levene, Robert Christian, Craig T. Nelson, Terri Wooten.
Running Time: 119 minutes
Rated R for language and some violence.
There were quite a few of these types of films in the seventies, not really comedies or dramas per se, but a clever mixture of both, and part of the reason that the '70s are regarded by many as the richest era for films & film-making. Another sample which comes to mind is "Mother, Jugs, and Speed" - not as good, but comparable. These films point to a darkly humorous take on our existence, usually taking place in modern, contemporary times, and in an urban setting. In this one, the legal - justice system is targeted; it's the system we supposedly depend on and which elevates our nation (the U.S.) above the rabble of the world. But the way it's examined here, the system doesn't really work. It's geared towards those with the power (read: money) and most of those incarcerated, it seems to say, are there by an awful whim of fate. Most lawyers (Pacino plays a particularly compassionate one) function merely to make the suffering of these innocents a bit less grueling, through kissing the butts of hard-line judges (Forsythe is a particularly mean one).
The film opens with Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino) spending the night in "the can" for contempt of court for taking a swing at Judge Flemings (John Forsythe) who was presiding on a case that Arthur had before his bench. Having to face a review board to see if he's fit to be a lawyer and facing possible disbarment, Arthur starts to wonder if all the work that he put into going through law school and in passing the Maryland State Bar to become a member of the law profession was really worth it. With his career on the line Arthur is suddenly given the job to defend the very Judge who would want nothing better then to have him disbarred Judge Henry T. Fleming. Accused of assault battery and rape of a local call girl Leah Shepard (Terri Wooten), it turns out that Arthur is the best person to defend the judge since it would prove that even he, who hates Flaming with a vengeance, has to defend his client to the best of his ability.
It's a one-sided view, to be sure, that we have here: those who are truly guilty, such as child-killers, get released on technicalities and proceed to murder the next day, causing at least for one lawyer (Tambor) a spin down to a nervous breakdown. Do such things really happen in real life? Surely. But, here it's de rigueur, as if looking at the world through a funhouse mirror, a sly distortion. It's amusing to view this satire on our society's ills and we can laugh, with a bit of discomfort, at a picture of what passes for rule of law or justice. But it's probably more gratifying to see Pacino, Warden and the rest acting their best, mostly 'New York-style' (though this takes place in Baltimore). Pacino's character really shouldn't be a lawyer; he feels too much and is a genuine human being, where as everyone else is caught up in the abstracts of winning in the system. Even Pacino's new girlfriend (Lahti in her first movie role), though appearing sympathetic to his dilemmas, is just another cog in the system. When he explains his biggest problem to her in the last act, instead of heartfelt advice, she gives him a list of options, as if she was his, well, lawyer. Pacino's all alone in this picture. All his peers have enclosed themselves in callous shells. His only outlet, a grandpa (acting teacher Strasberg) is moving steadily into senility. His stand-in father-judge (Warden) is literally giving in to the craziness. It all points to the thrilling finale of Pacino's opening statement during the climactic trial. Where in action pictures it usually points to a thrilling final battle, in this type of picture it's a thrilling monologue by the main actor. Pacino's all alone up there and his rendition is worth the price of admission by itself. Oftentimes hilarious and full of sadness the next, a superb satire with mesmerizing performances and a smart script.
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