GREAT COURTROOM MOVIES - PART 8

Justice is one of the most critical aspects of human life. It is not surprising that nearly all religious books narrate and depict the supreme of the universe as just people. The movie industry has capitalized on the human need for justice to craft a lot of films. According to one survey, there is a recent surge in the popularity of courtroom movies. This trend is attributed to the fact that these movies obey the time protocol, similar to a court case. The fights for justice by either the plaintiffs or the defendants are always attention-grabbing. Like in other movies, the audience is always tempted to take sides. It becomes even more interesting one the judge, the prosecutor, the jury's assumptions, and the entire session appears to be biased before the audience. Despite all the drama and biasness during the sessions, do not be surprised when the prosecutor and the judge concluded that the gutsy protagonist has been right all along. Let us have a look at the greatest courtroom movies.

A Cry in the Dark 1988

A cry in the dark is a 1988 movie that was based on a true story. The movie is built on Lindy Chamberlain, who asserted that she witnessed a dingo stealing her daughter, Azaria. The alleged stealing happened while on a camping trip to Ayers Rock, Australia. According to Lindy, a Dingo took the girl from the family tent. Everyone, including her husband, Michael Chamberlain, and their two sons, help look for the child.  Unfortunately, her body could not be located. The account of events is judged to be true initially. However, the police noticed a lot of inconsistencies in her assertions. They thought that Lindy had actually killed the child and charged with murder. As expected, this trial attracted a lot of attention from the public, with the media at the circus center. For instance, the media informed a rumor that the name "Azaria" means "means sacrifice in the darkness" (in reality, it means "blessed of God"). As a result, many conclude that the child was decapitated with a pair of scissors and offered as a sacrifice. In the course of the trial, he loses faith in his religious beliefs. He stumbles in his testimony, showing that he was possibly sweeping the truth under the carpet. No story had ever grabbed public imagination like that of Lindy. One of the notable moments that led to different opinions is Lindy’s refusal to exhibit an iota of emotions despite her lawyer’s frantic plea. She was found guilty and given a life imprisonment sentence. Around 3 years later, a jacked that Azaria was alleged to have put on was discovered. The case was reopened. Fortunately, all the convictions against the couple were upturned.

Director; This movie was directed by Fred Schepisi.

Cast; The main characters of the movie include; Meryl Streep (Lindy Chamberlain), Sam Neill (Michael Chamberlain), Dorothy Alison (Alvis Murchison), Lewis Fitz-Gerald (Stuart Tipple), Bruce Myles (Ian Barker, Q.C.), Charles Bud Tingwell (Justice James Muirhead), Nick Tate (Det. Graeme Charlwood), and Neil Fitzpatrick (John Philips, Q.C.).

Awards and Nominations; In 1989, Verity Lambert, Fred Schepisi, Robert Caswell, Sam Neill, Meryl, and Streep were nominated and won the following awards; Best Film, Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress, respectively. Jill Bilcock, Bruce Smeaton, Craig Carter, Peter Fenton, Martin Oswin, and Terry Rodman were nominated for Best Editing, Best Original Music Score, and Best Sound awards. Furthermore, Meryl Streep won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Se also won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress and was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama in the Golden Globe Awards and Santi Jordi Awards for Best Actress. Importantly, A Cry in the Dark won the Political Film Society Award for Expose.

Commercial Performance; The only information available is on the budget and Box office (USA), valued at $15 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

Trivia; In June 2012, Azaria’s cause of death was set straight. Elizabeth Morris officially stated that the Dingo killed the girl. In June 2008, the movie ranked 9^th in the American Film Institute of the 10 greatest Courtroom Dramas. The words "the Dingo Ate My Baby" completely miss in the movie. Lastly, the movie was named "Evil Angels" in Australia. However, this title was used in the U.S.

Runaway Jury 2003

Runaway Jury is a courtroom movie built on a trailblazing lawsuit of a widow of a guy shot dead by a co-worker. The widow seeks legal redress against the gun manufacturer because she feels he bears part of the responsibility in the husband's death. This is because the manufacturer created an easier environment through which a provoked person could buy and use a gun. Of interest is the impact the case would have in case the manufacturer is found guilty.  For instance, many suits could be opened and possibly render the industry bankrupt. The manufacturer spends millions of dollars to develop a good defense team and selection of the jury. Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), along with his staff, utilizes everything within their reach, including high-tech databanks to low-tech surveillance searching for competent jurors. Furthermore, Fitch tries to use blackmail to ensure his client is not found guilty. The counsel representing the plaintiff, Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), also retains a jury consultant. Nevertheless, a different individual has made strides ahead. Nick (John Cusack) has successfully gotten himself onto the jury. All the parties pay attention to Marlee (Rachel Weisz), who asserts that she controls the jury and can offer the outcome at the cost of $10 million.

Interestingly, Marlee successfully convinces the parties that her contact can win other jurors. Fitch comes up with a plot to kidnap Marlee through Janovich. However, she fights Janovich off successfully and raises the cost to $15 million. After a second thought, Rohr refuses to pay. The CEO of the CEO Vicksburg Firearms gets angry while on cross-examination, giving the jury a negative impression. Nevertheless, Fitch decides to pay Marlee to be sure of the outcome. In the end, the defendant is found liable. A total of $110 million was awarded to Celeste Wood as compensation for the damages.

Director; The movie was directed by Gary Fleder.

Cast; The main characters in the movie include John Cusack (Nicholas Nick Easter), Gene Hackman (Rankin Fitch), Dustin Hoffman (Wendell Rohr), Rachel Weisz (Marlee), Jeremy Piven (Lawrence Greene), Bruce Davidson (Durwood Cable), Bruce Mc Gill (Judge Frederick Harkin), Marguerite Moreau (Amanda Monroe), Nick Searcy (Doyle), Leland Orser (Lamb), Gerry Bamman (Herman Grimes), Lori Heuring (Maxine), Nestor Serrano (Janovich), Joanna Going (Celeste Wood), Cliff Curtis (Frank Herrera), and Dylan McDermott (Jacob Wood).

Awards and Nominations; The information regarding awards and nominations is not available.

Commercial Performance; Runaway Jury grossed $49,440,996 in the U.S. and a total of $80,154 140 globally.

Trivia; in 1997, Edward Norton played the role of Nicholas Easter, directed by Schumacher. Sean Connery and Gwyneth Paltrow replaced Fitch and Marlee, respectively. The project was delayed when Schumacher opted out of the project. The actors also went to other projects. In 2001, the project resumed with Will Smith playing the role of Nicholas Easter and Jennifer Connelly as Marlee. This time the movie was being directed by Mike Newell. However, Smith opted out, making the project stall once again. Additionally, this is the 10^th film that John Cusack and Jeremy Piven feature in.

Fracture 2007

Ryan Gosling (Willy Beachum) is almost quitting his post to another lucrative position in a privately-owned law firm. However, he is given what appears to be an open-and-shut case by his boss. Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins) attempted to murder his wife with a gunshot and is now defending himself in court. However, the chances of securing a speedy and fair trial become minimal when Ted proves to be shrewd and more astute and scheming foe than Willy thought.

Director; The movie was directed by Gregory Hoblit.

Cast; The movie’s main characters include Anthony Hopkins (Theodore Ted Crawford), Ryan Gosling (William Beachum), David Strathairn (District Attorney Joe Lobruto), Rosamund Pike (Nikki Gardner), Embeth Davidtz (Jennifer Crawford), Billy Burke (Lt Rob Nunnally), Cliff Curtis (Detective Flores), and Fiona Shaw (Judge Robinson).

Awards and Nominations; The movie got the nominations for 2 awards, including a Teen Choice Award for Ryan Gosling under the category of “Choice Movie Actor” and World Soundtrack Award for Mychael Danna under the category of Film Composer of the Year.”

Commercial Performance; The movie grossed a total of $91, 354,215 globally.

Trivia; Ted Crawford's car is a Porsche Carrera GT. The series was canceled by Porsche in the year 2006, following 1,270 handcrafted pieces. Willy Beachum’s house is in Los Angeles, specifically 3101 Minnesota Street.

Suspect 1987

In this movie, a judge commits felo-de-se. At the same time, the judge's secretary is killed. A homeless-mute guy, Carl Anderson, is accused of her murder. The court assigns the accused a lawyer, Kathleen, who is determined to discover the real killer. Kathleen is massively helped by a congressional advisor, who also doubles as jury panelist. The two unleashes a vicious corruption circle in the system.

Director. The movie was directed by Peter Yates.

Cast; Suspect stars Cher (Kathleen Riley), Dennis Quaid (Eddie Sanger), Liam Neeson (Carl Wayne Anderson), John Mahoney (Judge Mathew Bishop Helms), and Joe Mantegna (Charlie Stella).

Award and Nominations; The information about Awards and Nominations is not available.

Commercial Performance; The movie grossed $18 million in the U.S.

Trivia; To get ready for his role in the movie, Liam Neeson spent two days in a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C. Also, Dennis Quaid had spent a whole month talking to lobbyists, jurors, and judges in preparation for a role in the movie as a Capitol Hill lobbyist.

A Civil Action 1998

A group of families presents their case to a resolute lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann. This case appears to be a non-profiting one. However, the lawyers discover that it could be something a great environmental concern. A company producing leather is likely to because of the deadly leukemia cases. However, it is also the main source of employment in the region. Along with his three associates, the lawyer is determined to ensure that the company decontaminates the region affected and sue it for significant compensation. However, the lawyers representing the mother company of the leather manufacturer are hard to get. In the end, Schlichtmann and his associates find themselves fighting for mere survival.

Director; The movie was directed by Steven Zaillian.

Cast; the movie stares John Travolta (Jan Schlichtmann), Robert Duvall (Jerry Fetcher), James Gandolfini (Al Love), Dan Hedaya (John Riley), John Lithgow (Judge Walter J. Skinner), William H. (James Gordon), Kathleen Quinlan (Anne Anderson), and Tony Shalhoub (Kevin Conway).

Awards and Nominations; The information regarding Awards and Nominations is not available.

Commercial Performance; The movie received a domestic gross of $56 million.

Trivia; The movie is based on a true story. Several scenes in the book were again reproduced in the movie, including the meeting between Schlichtmann and Eustis at the Harvard Club in New York City. Also, Marlon Brando declined Jerry Fetcher's position.

Disclosure 1994

A production line manager, Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas), expects to be a CD-ROM division promotion after the DigiCom founder Bob Garvin Retires. Matters take a turn when Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), Sander’s former lover and colleague, assumes that position in the Tech Company. As a senior manager, Johnson invites Tom in her office to chat about the issues affecting CD-ROM production in Malaysia. What follows in the company’s office are steamy intimate moments that would later threaten Tom’s career. Having forced herself to Tom, Johnson files a sexual harassment complaint against the former lover. As the situation seems to get out of control, Tom gets a breakthrough that will render justice in the case. “A Friend" directs him to Catherine Alvarez, a sexual harassment case specialist. With the help of phone records from the office encounter with Johnson, Tom wins the case evading animosity with the wife and colleagues. As all seems fine to Tom after the victory, his ex-lover and a colleague plan a major career attack to see him fired from the Tech Company. The Michael Crichton novel’s based film is a wonderful view that gives an insider story of what happens behind the broken romantic’s curtains.

Director: The erotic thriller was directed by Barry Levinson

Cast; Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas), Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), Bob Garvin (Donald Sutherland), Susan Sanders (Caroline Goodall), Catherine Alvarez ( Roma Maffia)

Awards and Nominations: In 1996, during the London Critics Circle Film Awards, Paul Attanasio won the ALSFS Award for the Screenwriter of the year. In 1995, Demi Moore was nominated for the MTV Movie Award for the Most Desirable Female and Best Villain in the MTV Movie+ TV Awards. In the same year, Michael Douglas won the Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Commercial Performance: The movie was a success despite the mixed reviews and critics. With a budget of $ 50million, it hit $ 214 million at the box office.

Trivia: The movie is based on Michael Crichton's novel bearing the same name. Both illuminate how power, career advancement, and sex can be used as a leading tool. Crichton sold movie rights for $ 1 million before publishing the novel. Anne Bening was to play Meredith, but dropped the role after becoming pregnant. Levinson had also considered Mitchell Pfeiffer and Geena Davis before casting Demi Moore.

John Belinda 1948

The Physician, Dr. Robert Richardson (Lew Ayres), befriends a deaf mute-girl, Belinda MacDonald.  New to Cape Breton Island, east coast of Canada, Richardson realizes Belinda’s intelligence despite lacking the ability to speak. Richardson shows Belinda how to communicate with sign language and read.  As time goes by, he starts developing intimate feelings towards Belinda. Richardson's long-time secret admirer and secretary Stella realizes this and becomes suspicious. At one point in the family's wheat farm, Locky McCormick, a customer, shows up drunk from dance and rapes Belinda. She conceives and gives birth to a baby boy, Johnny. The rumor spreads all over the town, clamming Richardson as the father of Belinda's son. This affects the McDonald’s flour sales as the town begun to shun purchasing from them. About to be exposed for his rapping, Locky kills Black and marries Stella. On seeing the Macdonald family struggling to meet ends, Locky urges the town to support him get the child from Belinda. The deaf-mute woman does not easily accept this. Things turn to be sour at the McDonald’s home. Locky wants the baby, but the mother is reluctant. While going to pick the young blood, Belinda shoots him with a shotgun to death. After the murder charges, the court rules out execution for Belinda. However, Stella comes with heart-stopping information that saves the day.

Director; The 1998 drama film was directed by Jean Naguluesco.

Cast; Belinda MacDonald (Jane Wyman), Dr. Robert Richardson (Lew Ayres), Black MacDonald (Charles Bickford), and Aggie MacDonald (Agnes Moorhead).

Awards and Nominations; In 1996, Jane Wayman received an Oscar for the Best Actress in Leading Role. Despite the 6 wins, the movie also received 16 nominations.

Commercials Success; A $ 1.6 million budget was used to make the films. At the U.S. Box office, the movie hit $ 4.1million. Unfortunately, its worldwide gross information was not revealed.

Trivia; The movie dramatizes the Harris Summer residence events in Fortune Bridge, Prince Edward Island. Its true life events are extracted from Elmer Blaney Harris’s 1940 play Johnny Belinda.  It was remade in 1967 featuring Mia Farrow (Belinda), Ian Bannen (Doctor) and David Carradine(Rapist). Another remake was done in 19822 starring Rosanna Arquette(Belinda) and Richard Thomas (VISTA Worker).

The Bottom Line

The ancient civilization administered justice to promote equality in society. Although things are quite different today, human beings continue to live in peace, love, and harmony. The above seven courtroom movies depict approaches of the ancient judicial systems to solve matters affecting citizens. Whether alone or with your family, watch them stay entertained and take something new home.

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