...And Justice for All

Here's a film that's hard to place in a genre. It's not funny enough to be a comedy, but it never stays serious enough to be a drama. Case in point: the ending. It was dramatic up until the freeze frame (which was like the best freeze frame of Pacino in history). But it's constantly entertaining thanks to Pacino, who carries the film effortlessly.

The movie gets in Al Pacino's backpack and he carries it. It's not really the legal drama I originally perceived it to be. The legal equivalent of Network is a great way to describe it. Pacino's final speech is riveting.

Ah, Al Pacino. Dude could fuckin' act, and he carries this. This has some of the very best scenes of his career, and not only the opening statement at the end. He acts with frenzied passion, giving a no-holds-barred performance that is absolutely enthralling. Other than that, what really stood out to me was the script. The movie plays out as sort of a series of skits designed to highlight minor corruptions that add up; the central story isn't even given that much screentime.

I'm not out of order! You're out of order. The whole freaking system is out of order. You want the truth? You want the truth?! You can't handle the truth! 'Cause when you reach over and put your hand into a pile of goo that was your best friend's face, you'll know what to do! Forget it, Marge, it's Chinatown,"

Al Pacino's acting made the already great movie better than what it is. A great reflection of the flawed legal system and the frustrations of a man working in it should have. At times a bit over the top and ridiculous, but nevertheless charming and intriguing all the same.The final scene in the courtroom is undeniably one of the most memorable scenes in any legal movie ever, especially after watching everything build up to that point.

GREAT acting by GREAT Pacino.

Great movie and one of few that gave me nightmares. So sad to get to see (and not only to know somehow) that lawyers really have forgotten that we are people and not just money machines. Thank god it showed also that there are some left that do it for the right reasons! Gee, one of the hardest jobs in the world being a defens lawyer Great acting and story, I enjoyed it a lot!

Spectacular. Levinson's script, Jewison's directing and Pacino's acting all just wowed me! This is a bit like a judicial version of Serpico, but with humor... and very over-the-top -- in fact, the only way to make this better would be to get rid of some of those overly dramatic side-plots. Other than those several gratuitous climaxes along the way, this is a great movie.

The movie of one man. Just watching Al Pacino can make you happy though the is not that much involving.

solid film goes over the top a few times

Overly dramatic (Pacino's clients either hang themselves or get shot), but Tambor and Pacino are great, and the last scene is sheer film history.

The culminating scene is amazing.

It's NETWORK meets THE VERDICT - arguably marks the start of Pacino's descent into "whoo-hah" but he's so energetic and entertaining, matched by an unleashed Tambor, who perhaps surprisingly is the scene stealer in a well stacked supporting cast (though Forsythe does a great bit of seething). Aims for the rafters of melodramatic absurdity ala NETWORK, even if it doesn't quite have the conviction to pull it off - Pacino's fiery climactic speech doesn't really make much sense in the light of day.

All around Kick ass movie

This legal equivalent of "Hospital" and "Network" is an outrageous melange of comedy and drama that manages to hold itself together somehow--due in large part to a fine performance by Pacino and excellent writing by Barry Levinson. Jack Warden is very funny as a suicidal judge.

A powerful, relevant and funny film with an on point performance by Pacino. Feels like a second cousin to Network

lol - a satirical drama, not devoid of laughs, that left a unique, poignant, and satisfying aftertaste. Oh and great acting, of course, including some quintessential Pacino screaming.

* Casting, Acting : 8 * Script : 8 * Directing, Aura : 8 * Ease of Viewing : 8 * Naked Eye : 7

Pacino keeps this going and it's great to see where the "this whole court's out of order!" line originated from. It certainly captures the sheer frustration at the bureaucracy of the legal system and the flaws inherent in it. That said the courtroom scene gets ludicrously out of control as to what happens in a real courtroom but hey, that's pretty much to be expected in any legal movie ever.

77.500

I'm not into crime or drama stories, but this is truly PERFECT. Music is ok, but what is MORE important are the events which are creating the mood; music is only a bonus like it should be, not the other way round like in most modern movies. Al Pacino knows how to play not only by his words, but also by tone of his voice, eyes' movements etc. Most actors tend to forget about this important "details". Tragic elements are balanced by fun dialogues. Only one tiny minus: unnecessary helicopter scene.

Still Pacino's best imo

Tonal mismatch of issue-led melodrama and broad comedy that doesn't really land, past the climactic scene that everyone knows already

Wasn't particularly impressed with either the script or Pacino's performance (both received Academy Award noms), but it's an easy watch.

82.5

Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin's screenplay is fairly good, but it's overstuffed with plot lines. It's too much and some of it should have been left out. Pacino is very good though. It's a showy performance, but it's not all show. The film works as well as it does because of him and a really solid supporting cast. Everyone remembers this film for it's explosive court room finale, and it sure is memorable.

People are just people People are as much as people are

Interesting approach to the legal system as experienced by an ethical lawyer (Pacino). Tonally inconsistent, but then again, so is life: completely absurd and yet dead serious, at the same time.

I didn't understand the hype...this film was hard to take seriously and constantly exaggerative. If this was a little more comedic it would have made a great comedy.

Jewison's courtroom dramedy is an odd mix of silliness and some very heavy stuff. Pacino gets absolutely clobbered from every direction and he does a fantastic job of snapping at just the right moments. The actual central case takes up very little screen time and, instead, we see all the chaos that surrounds it. A must watch for Pacino's performance though the meat of this leaves an odd taste.