The Judge

If you judged this movie based just on it's actors, you would have to rule that this movie is guilty of potential greatness. If you examined or cross-examined the directors pedigree you might begin to have doubts. But I am here to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Judge doesn't just court greatness, it becomes it. (Also I am loving these law puns...I'm sure I'll be guilty of a few more..)

Hank Palmer is something of a cliched jerk. The cold, calculating, big-shot lawyer that couldn't care less that all his clients are guilty, he just cares about getting another win. Then he gets a wake up call in the form of his mother dying. "Is grandpa Palmer dead too?" His daughter asks. "No, He's dead to me." he replies. It's too bad then that he has to return to the podunk town in Indiana that he hates and board with his estranged father who he hates. He is going to try to get in for the funeral and get out as soon as possible. But an alleged accident involving his father changes his plans and he finds himself in the unexpected place of fighting in his fathers corner. 

I see no reason in delaying a verdict: I found the Judge an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable film. While the court room drama is compelling it's the family relationship drama that is truly captivating. Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall are both great on their own but put them in a room together and you have a tour de force. No objections here. A