The Lincoln Lawyer – I remember liking this one a lot the first time I saw it. It ranks high in the good Matthew McConaughey movies list, although the man seemed to have disappeared since his awards run.
Fracture – The way things ended here get me every time. Ryan Gosling’s character wasn’t a hotshot lawyer and the way Anthony Hopkins calculated his moves were surprising.
Law Abiding Citizen – Is this considered a legal thriller? A main character is a district attorney who’s trying to catch the other main guy. The movie isn’t memorable except for some scenes, but even recalling those scenes won’t give a clearer picture of what the movie’s about.
The problem is similar to mine. I don't watch many legal thrillers, so the picks are limited. I love Fracture though, but haven't watched the other two. Lincoln Lawyer seems promising. I have a flair for McConaughey, hence this curiosity.
ReplyDeleteLincoln Lawyer is one of McConaughey's good ones, although the trailer can be misleading.
DeleteThe Lincoln Lawyer was pretty good. I never expected to like it as much as I did. I know I liked Fracture when I saw it in theaters, but I don't remember much of it now.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect Lincoln Lawyer to be good either, glad I gave it a shot.
DeleteLincoln Lawyer and Fracture are popular today! I liked Fracture much more than LL but both were decent watches though I'd only revisit the first one. Law Abiding Citizen is an interesting choice, it started well but fell apart about halfway through.
ReplyDeleteLegal thrillers, or any courtroom drama really, are a genre that I enjoy so I'd heartily recommend any of my three.
Primal Fear (1996)-Martin Vail (Richard Gere) a big time Chicago attorney who loves the spotlight and isn’t overburdened with scruples takes on pro bono, for both the challenge and the publicity, the seemingly unwinnable case of angel faced choir boy Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) accused of viciously slaying a much loved priest. The case leads him down many dark corridors and ultimately to a crisis of conscience. Expertly acted by a top flight cast, Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Andre Braugher and Alfre Woodard (great fun as a tippling no nonsense judge) among many others, but the standouts are top liner Gere and Norton who is simply astonishing in his screen bow.
Suspect (1987)-An esteemed judge commits suicide shortly after giving his secretary a package. The next morning the secretary is found dead in the Potomac with her throat cut and almost immediately a mute homeless man (Liam Neeson) found with the dead woman’s wallet is arrested for the crime. His case is assigned to public defender Kathleen Riley (Cher) and it seems a straightforward case. Once the jury is empaneled though one of the jurors, lobbyist Eddie Sanger (Dennis Quaid) notices some inconsistences in the case and surreptitiously tries to pass his suspicions to Kathleen without subverting the trial. They secretly team up when those suspicions grow darker and both find their lives threatened. A trifle farfetched but suspenseful legal thriller with good performances, cast and direction. Excellent opening credits set the mood of the film up well.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)-In London when wealthy widow Emily French is found bludgeoned to death suspicion falls on struggling inventor Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power in his last film), a somewhat shiftless acquaintance of hers. He turns to well respected but thorny barrister Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Charles Laughton) to take the case. Fresh out of hospital and attended by a constantly flummoxed nurse Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester-Laughton’s real life wife) Robarts at first declines but after an entreaty by Vole’s wife Christine (a scene stealing Marlene Dietrich) he takes up the case which is loaded with twists and turns aplenty. Splendid adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic story enacted by a cast that couldn’t be better and superbly directed by Billy Wilder.
All three movies sound interesting! I've been meaning to watch Primal Fear sometime this year, but adding the other two to my watch list!
DeleteThe only one I saw was Fracture and I thought it was quite good...a real cat and mouse game.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how Fracture ends, it was a satisfying ending to their chase.
DeleteI've only seen Fracture a long time ago and I enjoyed it. I need to check out The Lincoln Lawyer, everyone's saying it's great.
ReplyDeleteLincoln Lawyer was surprisingly good!
DeleteFracture is a popular pick. Seen it mentioned many times. Perhaps that's a good reason to watch it. haha. Only seen Law Abiding Citizen but that was a long time ago. Don't really feel a need to revisit it.
ReplyDeleteFracture is popular this week - it's a good movie. It's not a stand out for me, but it's still good.
DeleteI really like The Lincoln Lawyer. Great call, there. Law Abiding Citizen was a fun one, too. Still need to watch Fracture.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure if Law Abiding Citizen counted as a legal thriller, but it did have some memorable scenes.
DeleteFracture is great! I think I've seen The Lincoln Lawyer but I hardly remember it, so maybe I haven't. The third one I've heard of but haven't seen.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is!
DeleteFracture is one I have seen, but am having a hard time recalling the plot.
ReplyDelete