Riaz Mamdani
Staff Writer
Like a court case that ends in justice, “The Judge” is an exceptional movie.
With a solid script, emotional yet engrossing plot, and powerful acting, “The Judge” exceeds the already high expectations for a successful courthouse drama.
Directed by Morten Tyldum, the film revolves around Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.), a big shot defense attorney who travels back to his small town home in Indiana for his mother’s funeral. He stays just long enough to pick at unhealed issues and rekindle old conflicts with his estranged father “Judge” Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), an irascible local judge and pillar of the community whose implacable values and judgmental dynamics have kept his three sons divided for years.
After Judge Palmer is accused of a hit and run, killing a man he had once tried and sentenced to prison, Hank reluctantly takes up the case in defense of his father. The case is already tough with all the evidence stacked up against Hank, and his adamant father is no help at all either.
The plot and screenplay are very essential to the film’s success. With flowing and developed scenes, and proper transitions between different areas of the film, there is little confusion as to what was going on.
Although setting is not usually a major factor in a film’s success, it is very much to the contrary in this particular film. The small town setting fits perfectly with the film’s message, and adds to the film’s unique atmosphere. It also acts as a staging ground for many of the films’ small-town morals, portrayed by Duvall’s tenacious acting, which ultimately shaped the “The Judge” as a whole.
With an already experienced cast, Duvall and Downey break through the already high expectations for them. Much of the film’s success can be credited to the genuinely emotional and passionate acting by the father-son duo.
Although Downey’s role is no different from his quick-mouthed, and witty characters from films such as “Iron Man” and “Sherlock”, his character’s role is now tinged with emotion, something that Downey can surprisingly make genuine and believable.
Complementing Downey’s excellent acting is Duvall’s strong, realistic acting. He was perfectly cast for this character, being able to portray Palmer’s resolute and tenacious character so clearly that he may even deserve an oscar.
Overall, “The Judge” is masterfully directed and produced by Tyldum and his crew. The film’s passionate and real acting as well as it’s impeccable plot and screenplay catapult it to success.
“The Judge” is rated R and is now playing in theaters nationwide .
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