The Verdict (1982)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Josh M

  
  The Verdict is one of the finest courtroom dramas ever filmed, the only reason I've given it less than the full stars is that the plot has some convenient points in its last act to provide a studio imposed 'happy ending' that border on cheap. The excellence is wall… More
  The Verdict is one of the finest courtroom dramas ever filmed, the only reason I've given it less than the full stars is that the plot has some convenient points in its last act to provide a studio imposed 'happy ending' that border on cheap. The excellence is wall to wall, starting with a terse, brilliant script by David Mamet, a performance of passion and prefection from that great soul, star Paul Newman in autumnal late middle age, and superbly deft direction from one of the finest American directors who ever lived, Sidney Lumet. It benefits from note perfect supporting perfomances from film icon James Mason, the teddy bear like, truthful presence of the great Jack Warden, sleazy Irish Judge Milo O'Shea, and the mysterious love interest Charlotte Rampling. The story is Newman, by fluke, getting a medical malpractice suit against a powerful law firm acting for the Catholic diocese who run the hospital where a healthy young woman is turned into a vegetable by negligent high profile doctors. James Mason exudes power and smugness as the senior partner with his usual subtlety. Newman is given the case by his colleage Jack Warden who has had enough of his friend's alcoholic negligence and wants to be done with him. Charlotte Rampling is a stunning, almost ghost like presence who offer's Frank one last chance at love in his late years. The dreary color palette and gothic (Boston and New York pretending to be Boston) locations add to the melacholic atmosphere of broken down, end of his rope ambulance chasing lawyer Frank Galvin (Newman). Music is minimal and close ups are used very sparingly. Galvin's need for redemption is so palpable that any human heart watching this gut wrenching performance is made to care deeply that he succeeds. Somehow, this 'need for redemption' trope, normally a hackneyed cliche, which fails in so many similar movies of the recent era is as perfectly executed here, due to Mamet's economical, unsentimental use of words (look for Galvin's haunting jury summation) and Newman's self-effacing, brave emotional nakedness. This film grips for all of its two plus hours, and though it may look a little old fashioned to modern eyes, it is very rewarding viewing. An almost pefect film.

• Melvin W

  
  Judge Hoyle: It seems to me, a fellow's trying to come back, he'd take the settlement, get a record for himself. I, myself. would take it and run like a thief.  Frank Galvin: I'm sure you would.  The Verdict is one of the best courtroom dramas you'll ever see.… More
  Judge Hoyle: It seems to me, a fellow's trying to come back, he'd take the settlement, get a record for himself. I, myself. would take it and run like a thief.  Frank Galvin: I'm sure you would.  The Verdict is one of the best courtroom dramas you'll ever see. It's success is not on one level, but on many. Sidney Lumet was always a great director primarily because his movies never strayed from the path of the lead character. He has extreme focus on Frank Galvin in this film. Frank is an alcoholic lawyer who has only one client. She happens to be a total vegetable. Frank takes the doctors to trial even though he could have received $200,000 plus, not to. Paul Newman is as extraordinary as ever in this role. He gives a powerful and emotional performance and elevates a good movie to greatness. The movie is all about the conflicts Frank is facing. He has a case that is going to be tough to win. On top of that, the judge is against him and his star witness is gone. Then there's another conflict that I didn't see coming and I don't feel one should know before watching the film. It seems throughout the whole movie that whenever Frank starts to make some headway something happens that pushes him back. It's his job to pull through and win this case. Not only for himself, but for the family of his client. Unlike many courtroom films, this always was understandable and more than that, it was always engrossing. Lumet never gets too wrapped up in the ins and outs of the trial process. He always sticks to the conflicts that plague Frank. The movie has tense scenes and but also many somber scenes that succeed because of just how good Newman is. This really is a must watch.

• Dan S

  
  A solid, entertaining legal thriller concerning a beat-up veteran lawyer (Paul Newman) looking for redemption from his alcoholism-driven ways, and finds it in a negligence case concerning a Catholic hospital. Newman's performance is just so effortless, so nuanced, and so… More
  A solid, entertaining legal thriller concerning a beat-up veteran lawyer (Paul Newman) looking for redemption from his alcoholism-driven ways, and finds it in a negligence case concerning a Catholic hospital. Newman's performance is just so effortless, so nuanced, and so phenomenal, that he is able to elevate the story's familiar material and make it riveting. A lot of credit also has to go to Sidney Lumet, who gets the maximum amount out of each one of his actors as well. The end result is uplifting, but for some reason it isn't as powerful and it could have been, something I felt kept it from being a "great" movie. Although it is definitely close, given Newman's terrific turn and a string of great supporting performances. David Mamet's script introduces a few twists that are indeed clever, but at times he goes a little to far to the point where you start questioning the realism of the case.

• Saskia D

  
  If you've seen Hud and Cool Hand Luke you'll understand that he's cut out for this part as a drunk who's trying to save his career as a lawyer. Perfect for a lazy and rainy Saturday afternoon!! <div style="width:970px;"><a… More
  If you've seen Hud and Cool Hand Luke you'll understand that he's cut out for this part as a drunk who's trying to save his career as a lawyer. Perfect for a lazy and rainy Saturday afternoon!! <div style="width:970px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/the-verdict-12331050"><img src="http://content8.flixster.com/photo/12/33/10/12331050_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">

• Conner R

  
  Newman+Mason+Mamet=Perfection. This isn't just another movie about a courtroom case, it's about the people behind it. Paul Newman gave a performance that almost completely different from anything he'd done before, a truly vulnerable and wounded person. It was great to… More
  Newman+Mason+Mamet=Perfection. This isn't just another movie about a courtroom case, it's about the people behind it. Paul Newman gave a performance that almost completely different from anything he'd done before, a truly vulnerable and wounded person. It was great to see James Mason give one last great performance, he was as ruthless as ever. The main reason I think I love this movie is that it's so lovable. There's no way you can't sympathize with Frank. It's a true redemption story. Sidney Lumet does a great job at nailing down a very dark part of Manhattan and giving the story the weight and power it deserves.

• familiar s

  
  My verdict (rating) for "The Verdict" probably won't be liked by many, but I can't afford to give it any more than 1.5/5. Pretty much avoidable, IMHO.

• Chris G

  
  There are only a handful of courtroom dramas that could be considered great such as 12 Angry Men or even J.F.K. The Verdict stands almost above the rest as the ultimate underdog lawyer story. Paul Newman stars as Frank Galvin, a worthless drunken lawyer who hasn't one a case in… More
  There are only a handful of courtroom dramas that could be considered great such as 12 Angry Men or even J.F.K. The Verdict stands almost above the rest as the ultimate underdog lawyer story. Paul Newman stars as Frank Galvin, a worthless drunken lawyer who hasn't one a case in years and has become not an ambulance chaser, but a hearse chaser going from funeral to funeral and dropping off his card. His former partner Mickey (Jack Warden) throws him a case dealing with a woman who was rendered brain dead during a routine baby delivery. It's an easy money case. But in the blink of an eye it becomes more to Frank Galvin as he has an epiphany and starts caring more about punishing the negligent parties than about the paycheck that comes home at the end of the day, even if it's against the usual legal protocol. This is one of Paul Newman's defining roles and it is a shame that he didn't win the Oscar for his portrayal of Galvin, a man who doesn't realize what he's done is wrong until after he's been called on it. He's a man of ideals that was crushed by his past and now he's digging his way out. Newman makes us feel for this lonely drunk playing pinball in Boston. James Mason is a great antagonist to Newman's Galvin as the opposing attorney. His cases are like well tuned machines that go off without a hitch. Mason gives us the feeling that he knows what the opposition is going to do before they do. Sadly, this is one of Mason's final performances and certainly the best before his death in 1984. Director Sydney Lumet (Network, Dog Day Afternoon) delivers his usual true life feel to The Verdict and makes you feel like your inside the courtroom. Or the law office. Or the pub. You become part of Galvin's world through his lens in a great story. The only problem I find with the film that keeps it from a five star piece is the actual verdict scene seems tacked on (indeed it seems that the original script wasn't even going to reveal the verdict to the audience). Other than that The Verdict is a great courtroom drama/underdog story that gives us a little taste of what a lawyer has to deal with on his soul from day to day.

• Luke B

  
  The Verdict is probably the best courtroom drama you could wish to see. First off Newman is superb but also represents a character that isn't always sunshine and lollipops. He's a hard drinker, but this is mostly displayed in Newmans shame as opposed to scenes of him… More
  The Verdict is probably the best courtroom drama you could wish to see. First off Newman is superb but also represents a character that isn't always sunshine and lollipops. He's a hard drinker, but this is mostly displayed in Newmans shame as opposed to scenes of him staggering around the streets drunk and throwing up. It's a subtle and realistic kind of drunk. His progression as a character is also well chartered. It's obvious he knows he is doing the right thing but is always regretting being the good guy. It's a great twist on a familiar sight. The film itself is devoid of any sentimentality. It doesn't have long winded uplifting power speeches accompanied by a bellowing orchestra. People breaking down and Newman shouting out is also kept to a minimum. It adds for a realistic portrayal of a court scene and doesn't try and manipulate us with usual tactics. This is Newman's story, not about his client, the clients family or how the verdict will affect the outside world. A wonderful film.

• Ken S

  
  Lumet, Newman and Mamet are all in top form in this flawless courtroom drama.

• Leigh R

  
  Pretty good.

• Danny R

  
  Paul Newman's towering virtuoso Oscar nominated performance as an alcoholic, ambulance-chasing attorney Frank Galvin, dominates this intense courtroom drama where he has one last chance at integrity and solvency, when he takes on a impossible to win medical malpractice case. A… More
  Paul Newman's towering virtuoso Oscar nominated performance as an alcoholic, ambulance-chasing attorney Frank Galvin, dominates this intense courtroom drama where he has one last chance at integrity and solvency, when he takes on a impossible to win medical malpractice case. A taut, well-crafted film with a brilliant screenplay by David Mamet which is based on Barry Reed's novel. An impeccable cast with James Mason a standout in an exceptional Oscar nominated performance as Newman's legal foil Ed Concannon, Jack Warden in fine and endearing turn as Newman's loyal assistant Mickey and a memorable performance from Charlotte Rampling as Newman's Laura, girlfriend with a mysterious past. Sidney Lumet's astute direction makes this a powerful and superlative film. Highly Recommended.

• Sean D

  
  All I need to say about this movie: Sidney Lumet, Paul Newman, Courtroom Drama. As Keats wrote "that is all/ Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." ... But seriously, wow. Paul Newman plays a drunk, down on his luck, ambulance chaser who wants to get his career back on… More
  All I need to say about this movie: Sidney Lumet, Paul Newman, Courtroom Drama. As Keats wrote "that is all/ Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." ... But seriously, wow. Paul Newman plays a drunk, down on his luck, ambulance chaser who wants to get his career back on track. When his pal Mickey approaches him with a malpractice case, wherein a woman was suffers brain damage due to being given the wrong anesthetic, he takes it, confident he can win this "easy" case. The high-priced lawyers for the defendant, the archdiocese that runs the hospital, attempts to settle out of court with a reasonable sum, but Newman refuses. It then becomes a David vs. Goliath style battle. James Mason is wonderful as the corrupt, high priced, laywer who will do anything to win. Jack Warden as Paul Newman's buddy is wonderfully vulgar and lovable. Charlotte Rampling is stellar as Newman's love interest. But the real star is Paul Newman. He has wonderful performance. It is hard to imagine Paul Newman, with those dashing blue eyes, as unhappy, but watch Newman's expression when he is dealing with an unfair judge, and you will see the face of rage that rivals Al Pacino in the Godfather Part II when he finds out Kay had an abortion. I could also go on about David Mamet's wonderfully executed script and Sidney Lumet's masterful direction, but it speaks for itself. I highly recommend this movie. Definitely one of Lumet's best, one of Paul Newman's best performances, and a truly great courtroom drama.

• Mike T

  
  A stirring, well-made drama from Sidney Lumet. Works efficiently based on high-quality writing, direction and acting. Paul Newman's final monologue is heart-wrenching.

• Alec B

  
  A soild courtroom drama from Sidney Lumet that doesn't get bogged down in the usual cliche's that plague the genre. It is one of Paul Newman's best, if not his best perfromance. James Mason is also very good. I don't know if it's the masterpiece that so many… More
  A soild courtroom drama from Sidney Lumet that doesn't get bogged down in the usual cliche's that plague the genre. It is one of Paul Newman's best, if not his best perfromance. James Mason is also very good. I don't know if it's the masterpiece that so many people say it is, but compared to the usual, it's pretty top notch.

• Marcus W

  
  This is a fantastic film. Lumet's direction is solid, Newman and Mason butt heads beautifully, and the story's gripping...until the last ten minutes: the one piece of evidence is declared void, so how can the jury still side with the prosecution if there's no evidence?… More
  This is a fantastic film. Lumet's direction is solid, Newman and Mason butt heads beautifully, and the story's gripping...until the last ten minutes: the one piece of evidence is declared void, so how can the jury still side with the prosecution if there's no evidence? Rather than continue down the road it was travelling, the film switches, desperate to wrap everything up in a neat, happy parcel. Disappointing.

• Max G

  
  Slow-paced, yet a riveting movie about the law, but mainly about the flawed nature of the human beings who are entrusted with it.

• Andre T

  
  courtroom drama film which tells the story of a down-on-his-luck alcoholic lawyer who pushes a medical malpractice case in order to improve his own situation, but discovers along the way that he is doing the right thing. Since the lawsuit involves a woman in a persistent vegetative… More
  courtroom drama film which tells the story of a down-on-his-luck alcoholic lawyer who pushes a medical malpractice case in order to improve his own situation, but discovers along the way that he is doing the right thing. Since the lawsuit involves a woman in a persistent vegetative state, the movie is cast in the shadow of the Karen Ann Quinlan case. The movie stars Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea, and Lindsay Crouse. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film was adapted by David Mamet from the novel by Barry Reed and is not a remake of the 1946 film of the same name.

• matt s

  
  Newman is the balls in this film, but the ending solidifies it as one of the top courtroom dramas of our time.

• Lord N

  
  I am told that this was the film that got Paul Newman back on the A-list. I believe it he did a fantastic job in it. He stayed on the A-list too. he won Best Actor 4 years later for The Color of Money. I liked this movie. it was, well the epitome of a good courtroom drama. it was kind… More
  I am told that this was the film that got Paul Newman back on the A-list. I believe it he did a fantastic job in it. He stayed on the A-list too. he won Best Actor 4 years later for The Color of Money. I liked this movie. it was, well the epitome of a good courtroom drama. it was kind of stereotypical but it was very well done. yeah. I can't say too much else without giving away plot, but It was a very well done film. I would suggest it to anyone who hasn't seen it. TRIVIA TIME: Among the people in the courtroom during the dramatic closing speech is a young Bruce Willis.

• cody f

  
  One of Lumet's best of many courtroom dramas. What drives this film is the Tour de Force acting of the great Paul Newman. He is a drunkan ambulance chasing lawyer who's morality causes havoc in a open and shut case forces him to revert back to his old ways. Classic David… More
  One of Lumet's best of many courtroom dramas. What drives this film is the Tour de Force acting of the great Paul Newman. He is a drunkan ambulance chasing lawyer who's morality causes havoc in a open and shut case forces him to revert back to his old ways. Classic David vs. Goliath story with a great supporting cast.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings