Legal Eagles (1986)

47% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
31% of users liked it
(4,988 ratings)

Ivan Reitman directed this film, starring Robert Redford, Debra Winger, and Daryl Hannah, that is an amalgam of a thriller, courtroom drama, mystery and Tracy-Hepburn romantic comedy, with a little Mark Rothko-type scandal thrown in. The film revolves around troubled Chelsea Deardon (Daryl Hannah)… More Ivan Reitman directed this film, starring Robert Redford, Debra Winger, and Daryl Hannah, that is an amalgam of a thriller, courtroom drama, mystery and Tracy-Hepburn romantic comedy, with a little Mark Rothko-type scandal thrown in. The film revolves around troubled Chelsea Deardon (Daryl Hannah) who as an eight-year-old girl witnessed her father, a famous artist, perishing in a blaze along with his valuable art works. Twenty years later, Chelsea is arrested for stealing one of her father's paintings from an unscrupulous New York art dealer. She claims many more of her father's paintings survived the fire long ago. Defending Chelsea is lawyer Laura Kelly (Debra Winger). Pitted against her is suave district attorney Tom Logan (Robert Redford). Laura thinks if Tom knew the facts behind the case, he would reconsider and exonerate Chelsea. He doesn't, but one night when Chelsea appears at his doorstep, he does permit her to seduce him. The next morning, one of the art dealers involved in the case is found dead, and Chelsea is found in Tom's apartment. Chelsea becomes the prime suspect in the murder and Tom's career is ruined. Inexplicably, Laura hires Tom to help her defend Chelsea. The two lawyers, in researching their defense, not only uncover a scandal involving art dealership, but also fall in love. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Ivan Reitman
Written By: Jim Cash, Jack Epps
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 18, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Jul 29, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Legal Eagles primarily comes off as a lazy and fairly pointless vanity project that squanders the talents of everyone involved.
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
Further proof that postGhostbusters Ivan Reitman is pretty much crap
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
So-so star vehicle. Harmless.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Top Stars, Top Music, Top Fun.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

Robert Redford looks out of place in this legal thriller played for laughs that feels like a glib, vacuous 80s TV show pilot.
Dean M

Clever and jokey tale of a DA and lawyer teaming up to get performance artist off a murder rap. Redford, Winger and Hannah are great performance as a team.
Sunil J

This is a tough one but overall I would say see it. Not for the blah courtroom drama or Daryl Hannah "acting" like a retard again. Watch it for the chemistry between Redford and Winger. Winger is just so likeable.
Jason R

Not Redford's best but hes a great actor so anything he's in is gonna be good. Debra Winger and Daryl Hannah are really good in this as well, not to mention very sexy. Not the best movie, but a pretty good comedy/romance nonetheless.

Cast

            Robert Redford as Tom Logan

            Debra Winger as Laura Kelly

            Daryl Hannah as Chelsea Deardon

            Brian Dennehy as Cavanaugh

            Terence Stamp as Victor Taft

            Steven Hill as Bower

            David Clennon as Blanchard

            John McMartin as Forrester

            Jennifer Dundas as Jennifer Logan

            Roscoe Lee Browne as Judge Dawkins

            Christine Baranski as Carol Freeman

            Sara Botsford as Barbara

            Thomas Barbour as Bored Judge

            Peter Boyden as McHugh

            Bart Burns as Judge

            Burke Byrnes as Cop

            Christian Clemenson as Clerk

            Lou Cutell as Kapstan

            Ron Foster as Reporter

            Bruce French as Reporter

            Vincent Guastaferro as Cop

            Kevin Hagen as Cop

            Lynn Hamilton as Doreen

            Grant Heslov as Usher

            James Hurdle as Sebastian Deardon

            Paul Jabara as Taxi Driver

            Gary Howard Klar as Hit Man

            Everett Quinton as Attorney

            Jay Thomas as Waiter in Restaurant

            Shannon Wilcox as Mrs. Williams

            Brian Doyle-Murray as Shaw

            David Hart as Marchek

            Ivan Reitman
            
            Annie Abbott as Secretary

            Robert Benedetti as Bearded Speaker

            Robert Curtis-Brown as Roger

            Chevi Colton as Short Lady

            Gabrielle de Cuir as Reporter

            Mary Alison Griffin as Young Chelsea

            Duitch Helmer as Lady in Gallery

            Ken Kiban as Reporter

            John Marion as Auctioneer

            Alex Nevil as Messenger

            Barbara Pallenberg as Assistant to Auctioneer

            Liz Sheridan as Little Old Lady

            Debra Stricklin as Reporter

            Olivia Ward as Nanny

            Rudy Willrich as Reporter

            Charles Brown as Real Cavanaugh

            Kristine Sutherland as Secretary

            Michael Anthony as Courtroom Spectator
See full cast