Murder In The First (1995)

[glumpy_99]

Overwrought, over-directed, over-performed drama actually becomes more entertaining as it progresses (and becomes progressively more goofy). Whether it's Bacon's scenery chewing portrait of pained torture (with real-life wife Sedgwick turning up briefly to rob him of his virginity!), Ermey as a courtroom judge (!), courtroom histrionics which would not be convincing to an inexperienced lay-person, and Oldman stuck in his 90s over-the-top villainous mode, nothing really convinces but it remains entertaining. Only some stomach churning hand-held camera-work in the courtroom is difficult to find endearing.

71/100