Courtroom Drama's
I love a good courtroom drama, the thrills, the tension, the objections and the intrigue, it was my belief that if law could be like it was in the movies then I would want nothing more than to become a lawyer. As I got older I realised that the law profession was nowhere near as exciting in real-life as it is in the movies. So I will continue to enjoy the law through my TV screen the way it's supposed to be.
Here is my Top 6 List
6. John Grisham's the Rainmaker
A young Matt Damon alongside a never young Danny DeVito bring to life the first of the John Grisham movies featured on the list. Idealist Rudy Bayler (Damon) comes out of law school looking to make his mark on the world but is only able to get work with a dodgy ambulance chasing law firm owned by Bruiser Stone (Mickey Rourke). After one illegal dealing too many Bruiser absconds for safer climates leaving Rudy and law clerk Deck Shifflet (DeVito) to set-up shop together, whilst they battle a fraudulent insurance company.
Really good look at the American legal system along with the difference that can be made when the opinions of the judges match up with the lawyer. Some really good courtroom scenes in the film along with an array of nice personal interactions with the cast. Happy o have the first of our John Grisham movies at number 6.
5. The Lincoln Lawyer [DVD]
Show me a legal thriller with some intimidation and immorality and I am there, Matthew McConaughey puts in a stellar performance as smug lawyer Mick Haller who since losing his licence is driven around all day in a black Lincoln. No real need for an office Haller conducts his business on the road. Smart enough to play the angles to get his clients off of serious charges it's better that he stay on the move, until he gets Louis Roulet (Ryan Philippe) off of a serious charge and Haller life and ex-wife Maggie (Marisa Tomei) suddenly become in danger.
Great story, portrayed well, McConaughey, Philippe and Tomei give great performances, the film deserves higher recognition than it gets, number 5 on the list it is.
4. Runaway Jury [DVD] [2004]
John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, what more reason could anyone need to watch a movie. But this one delivers it, suspense, drama, action and all the thrills you can handle. This is a clever thought-provoking movie which deals with the very real issue of who is responsible for the control of guns, the people who buy them or the people who sell them. As with all John Grisham novels this one is as exciting as it is original, the story has been adapted well for film, the performances from the main and supporting cast are brilliant and showcase their strengths properly. A film that can be enjoyed time and time again.
3. A Time To Kill [DVD] [1996]
The last of the John Grisham books on our list and the second movie we have featuring Matthew McConaughey. If you haven't seen it, why not? This is a great film, Samuel L Jackson is the father of a young girl who is raped by 2 young white guys in North America's deep south, however justice isn't always recognised properly for a black family, forcing Jackson to take matters into his own hands. Jake Brigance is the young lawyer trying to prove that anyone can receive a fair trial even in the deep south. This is a very exciting, drama filled courtroom thriller with one of the best closing statements I have ever seen.
2. A Few Good Men [DVD]
Before he wrote the legendary West Wing, Aaron Sorkin gave us A Few Good Men. An intelligent, exciting drama combined with a stellar cast, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Jack Nicholson and Kiefer Sutherland to name but a few. What happens when a rookie lawyer with a history for plea bargains gets handed a high profile case? Lt Daniel Kaffee (Cruise) has to figure it out whilst dealing with pressure from all sides in this thrilling courtroom drama.
Good performances all around and a story that is as believable as it is morally questionable, the only downside of the entire film for me was Demi Moore, she doesn't do a bad job but she is far from being on par with the rest of the cast.
1. My Cousin Vinny
A personal favourite of mine, less serious than the other movies on the list, this comedy drama ticks the boxes for great storyline, compelling case for the prosecution, witty dialogue and loads of laughs, due mainly to Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei and the late great Fred Gwynne. Two students take the summer off to travel the country, unfortunately during a swing through Alabama a shopkeeper is murdered during a robbery and three eyewitnesses are sure the students done it. Joe Pesci is Vinny a newly qualified litigator and cousin of one of the accused who rolls into town to defend him, unfortunately his knowledge and experience is outweighed only by his bad attitude and dress code problem.
If you have never seen this movie, you need to, it's a great film and you will laugh all the way through it, you will also see why Marisa Tomei won her well deserved Oscar.
Well there you have it folks, that's the list, let me know what you think below.
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