[5] In April 2013, Bill Dubuque was enlisted to rewrite it. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. For mature teens+. This plays a vital role in the maturity factor of Hank Palmer of how he handles his father and brothers. [4] The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard and Billy Bob Thornton. Join now. [18] WaterTower Music released a soundtrack album on October 7, 2014. I saw this film twice at TIFF and was quite impressed! Hank and his brothers go out to a bar and Hank starts making out with a teen bartender.. A man backs an SUV into a garage, denting it. There are also hints dropped that the judge's health is beginning to fail. When his defense proves ineffective, Hank takes over as lead counsel. To watch him and Downey, who's best. Film Analysis: The Judge Conclusion Communication Styles Brief Synopsis of the film Non-effective: Communication Styles continued The film "The Judge" display the volatile relationship of a father and a son. [13], Principal photography started on May 31, 2013 in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. In particular, there is one extraordinary scene in which Judge Palmer collapses and becomes delirious and incontinent. An Analysis of Meaning and its Function on The Judge Movie by David Dobkin. I'm glad that I'm not some famous critic judging movies for a living in the newspaper or any other media source. This film takes an unmitigated look at Midwestern family life from the point of view of the returning son. Definitely worth seeing for two amazing performances from Downey and Duvall. As viewers, though, we all know that the only verdict Hank really cares about is the one from his father. Now here comes “The Judge,” an unabashedly adult drama and a steadfastly old-fashioned one. Mature legal drama is superbly acted but a bit predictable. When Hank receives news his mother has just died, the judge grants his case a continuance. He wants reconciliation and approval. However, they are right when most of them say this is a vehicle for Robert Downey Jr. to do what he does best. (2014). It wasn't perfect and once I stopped and started to dissect it a little I saw some flaws in it but initially I was prepared to give this film a solid 9 and I'm still thinking about it. The morning after the funeral, Hank notices the Judge's Cadillac has the right-front headlight and fender damaged and accuses his father, a recovered alcoholic, of driving intoxicated. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. The performances were excellent and it was witty as well and engaging. © Common Sense Media. The type of acting whose the characters own personality defines all the characters an actor portrays so that they actor’s name alone lets the audiences know when the screen character will be like (Goodykoontz, Jacobs, 2014). The Judge is so full of stock characters and situations familiar from other films that you have to suspect that Dobkin had a check list. And I was looking forward to seeing Robert Downey Jr in a different role from Tony Stark/Iron Man. In its current form, however, it's a rare hot mess that succeeds mostly because of the audacity and chemistry of its performers, on top of the entertaining content it provides us, despite its lengthy runtime (one-hundred and thirty-seven minutes minus credits). Beautifully directed. (...) Puntuación: ★★★ (sobre 5)", "Un vehículo de lucimiento del carácter de Duvall y la lengua afilada de Downey Jr. Sólo las escenas entre ellos justifican todo el (largo) proceso en el que el resto, desde los secundarios hasta la propia historia, son meros testigos del enfrentamiento ascendente entre estos dos grandes", "Ingenuo ejercicio de estilo de película oscarizable (...) el resultado, por decirlo de manera amable, es insuficiente y discutible. It received mixed reviews but critics praised the performances of Duvall and Downey as well as Thomas Newman's score while criticizing the formulaic nature of its script and the lack of development for its supporting characters. Parents need to know that The Judge -- which stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall -- is an engrossing drama/legal thriller that covers some fairly mature, emotionally taxing terrain, including family estrangement, murder, power struggles, divorce, the death of a parent, and the emotions of the mourning process. It also offers the familiar pleasures of the typical courtroom drama. The film was released in the United States on October 10, 2014. I think Downey gives his best performance in a film and Duvall is again outstanding. Seven months later, Hank returns to Carlinville. Downey and Duvall don't disappoint as well as the ensemble cast. "Nothing changes," Hank grumbles as he rolls back into Carlinville after so many years away. [6] The casting of Robert Duvall, Vincent D'Onofrio,[7] Vera Farmiga,[8] and Dax Shepard was reported in March 2013. Novedad Octubre 2020: Podrás ver en qué plataforma(s) se puede ver cada película o serie. To watch him and Downey, who's best when he's paired with Duvall, is to witness a master acting class. Case Dismissed. In the best scene in the movie (for both Duvall and Downey), Hank finds the Judge collapsed on the floor of the bathroom, and has to help clean fecal matter off the Judge… Thank you for your support. Sorry reviewers...but its true. "This really isn't an act. One-stop shopping for all current movie information needs, including front line analysis, a comprehensive database, up-to-the- minute release dates, and a huge trailer section, in addition to movie and DVD reviews, annual movie awards and numerous other exclusive features. Additional social drinking. The type of acting whose the characters own personality defines all the characters an actor portrays so that they actor's name alone lets the audiences know when the screen character will be like (Goodykoontz, Jacobs, 2014).… I was able to see this before the October release and although I read some of the reviews that were released recently I started to have some reservations however, I have disagreed with some critics in the past and figured I'd make up my own mind about this film. The score is manipulative rather than affecting, the cinematography is weirdly ostentatious when it should be subtle and the almost two and a half hour runtime is ludicrously unnecessary. Forgiveness and redemption arrive when you least expect them -- you just have to be open to them. Jeremy Strong and Robert Duvall in ‘The Judge’, The Judge, film review: Hot-shot actors Duvall and Downey Jr make a, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. Go see this movie and be prepared for a few good laughs, bring a box of tissue for the tear jerking moments! The judge blames Hank for the injury that cost his brother Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio) his baseball career. The Judge is an Oedipal drama masquerading as a film about a murder case. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. It baffles me how some reviewers felt misled by the trailers into thinking this was a pure comedy whereas in the trailer I saw, it was more of a dramedy. Robert Duvall’s unique ability as a character actor allows him to portray a seemingly hard nose judge and father that pushes and drives his son to be the best. Downey Jr and Duvall push far further than any bickering father and son in a made-for-TV melodrama. Because he seems to be able to get away with things. The victim, Mark Blackwell (Mark Kiely), is a recently-released ex-convict who Judge Palmer had sentenced to twenty years in prison for murder. [19] The film's closing titles feature Willie Nelson's version of the Coldplay song "The Scientist", and Bon Iver's song "Holocene" is also featured prominently in the film. Names elude him. In Carlinville, Hank reunites with his older brother, Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio), a tire shop owner, and his autistic younger brother Dale (Jeremy Strong). User Ratings Parents need to know that The Judge -- which stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall -- is an engrossing drama/legal thriller that covers some fairly mature, emotionally taxing terrain, including family estrangement, murder, power struggles, divorce, the death of a parent, and the emotions of the mourning process. Mushy Manipulation, Sloppy Judgement - Verdict: Easily Forgettable. Advisors: (I) Dr. Imam Qalyubi, M.Hum., (II) Zaitun Qamariah, M.Pd. While preparing for trial, Hank learns the Judge is undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer. There are also strong supporting performances from Vera Farmiga (she and RJD have great chemistry), Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Jeremy Strong. [9] The studios had expressed an interest in Jack Nicholson playing Joseph, but Nicholson turned down the role and it was given to Duvall. The Judge's inability to remember the accident or previously recall his bailiff's name may be a side effect of chemotherapy. Definitely worth checking out in my opinion. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. It was obvious that both father and son had some deep history. ( Log Out /  Some sexu... Because of the lack of reviews at the moment, I will put in as much as possible. That doesn't surprise me. "[27], Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent wrote, "For all its contrivances and occasional lapses into On Golden Pond-style mawkishness, this is a richly crafted yarn that boasts barnstorming, if very showy performances from Duvall and Downey Jr."[28] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave a mixed to positive review, writing, "There are plenty of emotional fireworks in this big, soupy but entertaining picture, which is obvious Oscar bait. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. It's getting some harsh reviews, undeservedly. Si alguna sinopsis cuenta demasiados detalles del argumento -o para corregir errores o completar datos de la ficha o fecha de estreno- puedes mandarnos un mensaje. Hank takes over his defence. The Judge is a 2014 American legal drama film directed by David Dobkin. ( Log Out /  There's a knowing sheen here that points to a self consciousness about the movie being a type of crowd-pleasing thriller, one that milks all the right emotional notes. His smarmy attitude basically gets transplanted here, except with a backstory. Affecting but exhausting dysfunctional-family drama. He scuttles his own defense by testifying he is unable to remember the accident, but believes he may have intentionally killed Blackwell. Some labels/products seen or mentioned, including Ford, Facebook, Kool-Aid, Cadillac, and GoreTex. Judge Palmer is convicted on a lesser charge of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in Indiana State Prison. [23], The Judge received mixed reviews from critics. What is it saying about family bonds?