[net.movies] The Verdict

heliotis (12/28/82)

I'm afraid I was a tad disappointed in "The Verdict", perhaps only
because of all the positive reviews.  Paul Newman did give a pretty
good performance, though (I was told that his face did not match his
behavior, w.r.t. the wear and tear the alcoholism should have caused).
Our favorite performances, however, were those of his friend (the other
lawyer--forgot his name) and the brother-in-law of the woman in the
coma.

[SPOILER]

My wife and I both agreed that the problem was that the story
did not have enough reality; it was too much a "fairy tale" in how
justice was done in the end.  The characters were a bit too sterotyped
in their corruption/evilness.  Although Gavlin worked pretty hard to
get his key witness, we didn't feel that he deserved much of the credit
for the verdict.  In fact, when he first got confident about the case,
he was unaware of the fact that won it for them.  My personal rating
for this movie is $3.

                                        Jim Heliotis

ms (01/04/83)

	I saw this film recently and those of you who may still be hunting
throgh the latest releases looking for one worth the $4.00+ may be interested
in this.

	Firstly thr 'R' rating is slightly high I feel but a least it keeps
the kids away, most of whom will find it boring anyway. I watched it having
heard that Paul Newman was supposed to be superb - and he did a good job, if
he had'nt been so good the movie would have been terrible. This is not to say
that he does not have some excellent support but basically the movie revolves
round him and this one case he is fighting to win.

	The movie starts out slow and it has a couple of twists in the middle
but it is exciting and I found it very watchable in the same way I like
watching a series such as "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" although the stories
are of course in no way comparable.

	Don't go with any great expectations and I think you'll get your
money's worth and you'll also think that Paul Newman is very good but most
of all I think you'll agree that he won't win an Oscar.

jackson.pa@PARC-MAXC.ARPA (05/03/83)

Very good flick but depressing.  An alchoholic loser lawyer kicks it
over one more time.  He doesn't get religion though, and still acts like
a loser.  Consistant acting, realistic gritty interpersonal
relationships.  I avoided seeing it for a long time because I suspected
that it was more depressing than I cared to deal with, but Tootsie was
STILL sold out and I had traveled over the hill...

Looked at Rocky Horror immediatly afterwards.  As always, great light
entertainment for the deviant of heart.