Rating of
3.5/4
Al Pacino is Brilliant Again!!
mdtinney - wrote on 09/17/09
There are simply not enough words to describe the passion, drama, and feeling, that is And Justice For All! This movie is a scathing indictment of the legal profession with elements of comedy, dramatic tension, and sadness, as we follow Arthur Kirkland, an overworked Baltimore attorney, with a unique rarity seen in law, a compassionate heart. Authur is played brilliantly by the amazing Al Pacino. IS THERE AN ACTOR AS GOOD AS AL PACINO?? I THINK NOT!!! There are elements of this movie that are hysterically funny, bitterly poignant, and emotionally heartbreaking. But you feel drawn to the film because the acting is perfect. From the crazy judge with a death-wish (played to the hilt by the late great Jack Warden) to the arrogant and sinister judge Fleming whom Kirkland is blackmailed into defending played magnificently by John Forsythe, the film's emotional power is so gripping and captivating that it feels like you are watching a documentary! I consider the 8-minute final courtroom scene to be one of the greatest moments in movie history! Arthur Kirkland represents human dignity and compassion, speaking the truth in a system gone insane where the affluent can manipulate the system when guilty, while the poor and underprivileged who may be innocent, often take their place in overcrowded jails. This social and economic class distinction is a powerful undertone message in And Justice For All. This is a film that not only makes you think, it takes your breath away.
