"The Verdict" is a typical Lumet film: weak beginning, firework conclusion. The first half of this courtroom drama is rather slow and dull -and then, the pace suddenly picks up, the plot becomes engaging and there are some memorable court scenes, as well as crackling dialogue. The final resolution comes out of nowhere though and was a little too deus ex machina for my taste -but the very final scene is wonderfully abrupt. Strong performances all around and typically superb direction by Lumet.

Really well made courtroom drama with a focus on the lawyer's ethical redemption rather than the case. Which is a good thing, because the case isn't all that compelling but Newman's performance is fantastic.

Engrossing drama/character study, with Newman nailing an atypical role as a drunken, broken down ambulance chaser looking for redemption (no sign of the typical Newman swagger here). Mason is suitably cold as the refined and corrupt opposing counsel, and Warden and Rampling are both excellent as Newman's rallying team. Perhaps a little too slowly paced at times, film still manages to drag you in and score quite an emotional punch by the finale.

Newman portrays Galvin's bleak lifestyle with all the remarkable skill you'd expect from the man. I'm a sucker for all legal drama, and find it interesting that they turned a usually boring civil case into an interesting story. The love story I could do without, there is enough going on to interest me.

I've watched this movie many times. It has a believable story line. Paul Newman's portrayal of the washed-up alcoholic lawyer was a masterpiece. I wish he had found a way other than breaking in to a mailbox to find that phone number though! There are some logic flaws late in the trial (James Mason dispatches lawyers to find precedents before he knows what they need to find.) This is another movie that would make no sense, technology-wise, in the 21st century. But a remake would be great!

590

Pointless...skip it.

One of Newman's finest performances rescues a rather slow-paced and predictable legal thriller.

It's easy to overrate this movie even before you see it. David Mamet writing, Lumet directing and starring Paul Newman and Jack Warden, it's really amazing on paper. It's entertaining and you end up rooting for the good guys to win, partly because James Mason is amazing as the scummy, big time lawyer. It can be formulaic but when the formula works why change it?

Newman just soars in this role. He's the lead in a cast of greats, especially James Mason as the defendant's lawyer. Lumet's direction is solid and Mamet's screenplay crackles. Courtroom dramas are the best kinds of movies to get wrapped up in and this one, with its twists and turns, is no exception.

#638

Extremely solid courtroom drama, which is a given with all the talent involved. Newman is great, and James Mason plays the sleazy antagonist to perfection.

Great performances; weak story.

I'm not quite sure why this is a good movie, but it certainly is. The judge is so wonderfully corrupt the payoff is twice as good.

Another Oscar worthy performance from Paul Newman. The script and directing is also great in this film. If you are a fan of courtroom dramas or a fan of Paul Newman then you have to check this film out.

Not Lumet's best, but there are some really nice scenes here. Newman was very good and Lindsay Crouse stole the scene at the end. It could have been better, but it was more than passable.

Great performances, pretty engaging. Drags in parts and the resolution to the case was a bit unbelievable - still, I quite liked it. But something is missing from it being great.

it's really just an alright movie, leaves not impact, nothing particularly memorable, but nevertheless not a waste of time. newman is good as always, but i'd pass this up for some of his better performances, and it's pretty easy to find a better lumet flick as well.

An excellent performance from Paul Newman, with great supporting work from Mason and Rampling. Lindsay Crouse is very fine in her brief scene as a nurse.

# 635

A very quiet yet powerful film about redemption and faith in humanity.

Mediocre in pretty much every way. Granted, it looked better than a TV movie, but having seen a few courtroom dramas recently, The Verdict doesn't even come close. James Handy woke me up a bit, but ultimately a regretful watch.

Somewhat formulaic, but Newman rises above it and delivers a truly great performance. Still, it's hard to get too excited about a courtroom drama where, against all odds, all it takes is one impassioned speech to redeem us all; "12 Angry Men" it ain't.