THE JUDGE (Toronto International Film Festival Toronto Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Judge creates an outstanding casting team with its choices of Robert Downey, Jr. (acting as Criminal Lawyer Hank Palmer) and Robert Duvall (acting as Judge Joseph Palmer) in this intriguing drama of professional lives overlapping deeply complicated family relationships. Superb acting by both Downey and Duvall are more than enough to carry the story, but the addition of small town politics and past relationships provide additional depth to the story to increase its dramatic value. Old and new family secrets, disappointments, and final resolution make this a very good flick when looking for drama.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Highly successful criminal lawyer Hank Palmer finds himself needing to provide legal defense for his father, Judge Joseph Palmer, who has been charged with murder.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director David Dobkin. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Kleeman, and Herb Gains for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Samantha Powell (Vera Farmiga), Dwight Dickham (Billy Bob Thornton), C. P. Kennedy (Dax Shepard), Carla Powell (Leighton Meester), Judge Warren (Ken Howard), and Lauren Palmer (Emma Tremblay).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is an excellent, multi-layered, skillfully written story that provides complete attention to watch. Great work for Director David Dobkin.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers