Rating: 
Summary: Riveting and Powerful Cinema - An Eye-Opener for All
Review: This is the most incredible movie ever made about trying a wrongful death case and the accompanying emotional roller coaster the process generates for attorneys. The opening scene will plant you firmly in your chair as Jan Schlichtmann (played by John Travolta) explains the financial calculus behind accepting and declining potential clients with personal injury claims. Jerome Facher (played by Robert Duvall) is infuriating with his unending legal maneuverings designed to extract his corporate client from an untenable legal position permeated with liability. The traitorous conduct of Schlichtmann's partners will make you wretch with disgust as they scramble to save themselves at the expense of righting a terrible wrong evidenced by a dozen dead children. Engrossing, to say the least.Yes, the movie isn't perfect. Travolta's portrayal of Jan Schlichtmann doesn't completely mesh with the character in the book, there isn't a practicing attorney alive who doesn't know Rule 11 (court-imposed sanctions for unethical conduct), and the legal proceedings aren't quite right. Who cares? If the director had included the day-to-day minutiae involved in getting a case to trial, the film would have been three years long! My fellow reviewers are unreasonable in their unrelenting critiques. If you're involved in the legal profession, this film will make you step back and reassess your brand of client representation. Are you taking the right cases? Are you serving the needs of you clients - or yourself? Are you willing to give your all to the law? Interesting, and always stimulating, food for thought. If you're a lay person, hold on - you're in for the ride of your life.
Rating:
Summary: A must see for parents
Review: This movie tells the unvarnished truth about what goes on in the world of cancer cluster investigation. Whatever else may or may not have been wrong with the case, the movie is worth seeing for the portrayal of the judge and his rulings. Did anyone believe that the legal system would protect children from cancer causing chemicals in the drinking water? Think again.
Rating: 
Summary: I thought this was a courtroom movie
Review: This movie was just a bunch of people spouting faults about our justice system without getting anything done. There is no tension, no compassion, and no reason. This is one of teh worst movies I have ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Johnny T Meets Mr. D......For Great Courtroom Drama
Review: This review refers to the DVD widescreen edition(Paramount) of "A Civil Action".... A personal injury lawyer takes on the big guns from big business in this fascinating legal drama. Based on a true story, John Travolta plays Jan Schlichtmann, who knows how to get his injured clients the big bucks, as well as a big cut for himself. It's all about the money..that is until he takes on a case where the stakes are high and there is no settlement in sight. A town is overidden with illness. From cancer to miscarriages the percentage of sick and dieing people is staggering. Is it mere coincidence, or is there something in the water that is making everyone sick? The townspeople only want an apology and to have the pollution cleaned up. They ask Schlichtmann's firm of lawyers to help. But who is to blame? For a really good apology, it will have to be someone with deep pockets! After a little nosing around, it is discovered that the culprits do have deep pockets. There are two multi-million dollar corporations involved and the firm decides to take them on.They put everything on the line as this case becomes more personal to them, and may lose it all in the end. An excellent ensemble cast includes Robert Duvall, Kathleen Quinlan,William H Macy, Tony Shalhoub, James Gandolfini, Dan Hedaya and John Lithgow. Although billed as a thriller, I would consider it more of high drama in the courtroom. It is though, a gripping and moving account of the events, one that I can watch repeated viewings of without tiring of it. Travolta turns in a superb performance as he becomes immersed in fighting for the rights of his clients. The DVD has a perfect picture in widescreen, and the sound was very good as well in Dolby Dig 5.1(I did not notice any of the humming noises that the editorial rating spoke of). The music, dialouge and all surrounding sounds were crisp and clear. It may be viewed in French and has a production featurette. If you like "Erin Brockavitch",or captivating courtroom dramas, this one is right up your alley. Will Justice prevail? Find out as John Travolta and Robert Duvall meet before the judge... and enjoy.....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: terrible terrible movie
Review: this takes years off of your lif
Rating:
Summary: An edgy movie pays off
Review: Travolta is supperb as a personal injurie lawyer, who meets his match in a case that has caused 12 deaths and no definate source. Splendid performance by Robert Duvall, travolta's opponent and John Lithgow dose a fine job as the judge. A very engrosing movie has its dissapointments but pulls through with a suprisingly strong ending
Rating: 
Summary: Hmmm...ok
Review: What made me give the movie such a low rating is the ending. The movie starts strong and continues to be solid and well done, until the end. But the end itself is so-so. Pros: * Of course, this is one of those John Travolta-gets-20-mil movies, so it must be good, right? Well, maybe. John certainly gave a terrific performance in the movie. * The movie is virtually star-studded. It includes such great actors as Robert Duvall, William H. Macy, and most importantly, John Lithgow. I love this guy. After seeing him do an awesome job on 3rd Rock from the Sun, it's nice to see him do something very serious again. He is amazingly convincing as the judge in the movie, and when he angrily screams, acting doesn't get any better. The movie also contains two of my all time favorite supporting actors, Dan Hedaya (Dick, First Wives Club) and James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano). * One of the most exciting things in movies is the trial scenes (just watch A Few Good Men and Primal Fear). The trial scenes in this movie are pretty good. Cons: * At the end, what happened? Instead of writing what happened to the characters we hated, we should've seen it. That ruined the ending. Bottom line: Worth a rent.
Rating:
Summary: PANIC IN BOSTON
Review: You know the old saying that courtroom movies are supposed to be boring right.Well forget that and enjoy this one which deals with a story that was worth telling.The story ressembles ERIN BROKOVICH in many aspects:it is about humans and the way a irresponsable corporation can cause deaths just because the job wasn't done right.ROBERT DUVALL in a supporting role steals the show,but JOHN TRAVOLTA is also well cast.You'll laugh when you'll see him get two speed contaventions in a row.You'll also understand while viewing this,why justice is a game that can get as far as morgatging your house as a guarantee for handling the debts of a trial.I'd rather see ten films like this rather than one mindless science-fiction techno action bore ,complete with heavy-metal music.
| 
