Justice (2004)

67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(397 ratings)

Carter (Roger Guenveur Smith) is a fed-up public defender who decides to take on the corrupt system the only way he knows how. He sets up a law office in the inner city and begins organizing and activist group in the hopes of exposing the dishonest powers that work behind the scenes. There are those… More Carter (Roger Guenveur Smith) is a fed-up public defender who decides to take on the corrupt system the only way he knows how. He sets up a law office in the inner city and begins organizing and activist group in the hopes of exposing the dishonest powers that work behind the scenes. There are those who like the system the way it is, however, and they make Carter's mission a dangerous one. His girlfriend, fearing for her two small children, is reluctant to follow him into the depths of the city's malfeasance, and Carter is learning that making a serious difference in the world might come at a hefty price. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Jeanne-Marie Almonor, John Shulman
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 20, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Aug 30, 2005
Studio: First Run/Icarus

Critic Reviews

Jay Weissberg, Variety
Already a master of the objective eye, Ramos uses her unobtrusive camera to uncover the frustrations inherent in a vastly imbalanced society where hope is scarce and the future is dim.
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times
Justice often moves painfully slowly, and so does Justice (Justiça), a documentary by Maria Ramos about low-level criminal courts in Brazil that at times might be mistaken for an unedited video feed from a courthouse security camera.
Joshua Land, Village Voice
With its unobtrusive visual style, Justice plays like a near-parody of documentary objectivity, subtly suggesting the malleable nature of 'truth,' both in the courtroom and the movie theater.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
Despite its outsize ambitions, Evan Oppenheimer's independent feature is generally low-key and likable, thanks mainly to a talented cast.
Sean Howe, Village Voice
Though director Oppenheimer has a nice comedic touch, an achronological structure and distracting vignettes thwart the film's emotional designs.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Cinema verite look at the criminal justice system in Brazil. Distinguished by its ability to examine class society without being heavy-handed.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
The film brings to mind the good and bad of two other courtroom documentaries, 10th District Court and Sisters in Law.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
[Drew] drags down an otherwise likable drama that draws its three stories together in a quietly effective climax.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Cast

Roger Guenveur Smith
as Carter
Monica Calhoun
as Sharice
Anna Maria Horsford
as Chief Public Defender Poole

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