The Verdict (1982)

The Verdict (1982)

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden

I’ve apparently got about an hour before the Rapture happens, so I better get these last three movie reviews out of the way now! Wouldn’t want the world to end without staying up to date on the INTERNET!

In The Verdict, Paul Newman is a washed-up ambulance-chasing lawyer who stumbles upon an easy case that’ll make him some money. This lady’s sister is in a coma for the rest of her life because she had an operation where the doctors gave her the wrong anesthetic. However, instead of taking the easy way out and settling (which is what everyone, including his clients, want), he decides to take the case to court in the hopes of preventing these doctors from making another life-harming mistake.

This is a pretty standard lawyer movie, except that there are some really good performances, specifically by Paul Newman (of course) and Jack Warden as his partner/friend. The outcome of the case is obvious and Newman’s sad, alcoholic characteristics pretty much vanish by the beginning of the second act, which was a little disappointing. Also, it was a pretty film, shot in a very epic 70’s sort of way, which helps a lot since, as I said, it’s otherwise a very by-the-numbers court drama.