Genre Discussion: Legal Thrillers/Courtroom Dramas

[Matt]

A recent rewatch of The Lincoln Lawyer' got me thinking on these. It was a superior thriller with a decent case, a few good twists, and a satisfying ending. It seems like most thrillers drop the ball on at least ONE of those points, so it was refreshing and surprising to find one where the story actually held up. It wasn't perfect, but it got more RIGHT than it got wrong.

What makes a good legal thriller? What ones hit the mark and which ones suck?

[Matt]

Good ones that come to mind...
12 Angry Men
Witness for the Prosecution
Presumed Innocent
A Few Good Men
Primal Fear.

[Lisa]

Matt secretly started this thread so that he and I could do "Legally Blonde" lines back and forth again! (Which - seriously, all you had to do was PM me! )

Good ones that come to mind...
12 Angry Men
Witness for the Prosecution
Presumed Innocent
A Few Good Men
Primal Fear.

YES, all of these - these are truly favorites of mine, and I generally don't miss them when they're being run on TV.

What do you think of "Suspect"? I really loved that one as well.

[Matt]

Never saw 'Suspect'the so I honestly can't comment.

Going back to what makes one of these films work: we all expect some kind of twist or AHA moment. That's fine but it has to come organically from the plot. If it comes completely out of left field then you've lost all credibility and your film fails.

Ones that I've seen that did not work:
Physical Evidence
Class Action
The Juror
Body of Evidence

[BMichaelKrol]

Lincoln Lawyer was great, and as an attorney, it didn't offend me with its unrealistic view of attorneys and procedure.

That's all I got.

[Matt]

Out pf curiosity...what films are the most realistic in their portrayal of the legal system? Which.ones are way way off? How did it effect your enjoyment of the film?

[Matt]

I think that most of the North American moviegoing public is too used to the 'entertainment' version of the legal system. Go all the way back to 'Perry Mason' on tv and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' in theaters. For better or worse, we have expectations of how we want our legal drama to go. The real deal isn't sexy enough.

Other bad ones..
From the Hip
Legal Eagles

[BillyG]

Not a courtroom movie, but my favorite legal thriller is far and away Michael Clayton.

[Matt]

Loved 'Michael Clayton'

YOU ARE SO FUCKED

[B_Metal]

Michael Clayton is great

[Lisa]

Michael Clayton was fabulous! I say it counts as legal.

[B_Metal]

I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy! Are you so fucking blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?

Still fucking love this line.

[Matt]

YOU ARE SO FUCKED

Great acting in it too.

[Captain Russ]

Good ones that come to mind...
12 Angry Men
Witness for the Prosecution
Presumed Innocent
A Few Good Men
Primal Fear.

*cough cough hack wheeze*

How about ol' 'BREAKER' MORANT, eh?

[Matt]

Fuck me yeah...'Breaker Morant' is a personal fav. Point to you.