9 out of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Newman deserved an Oscar for this

A Customer from Wales, 20th September, 2004

Newman shows again just what a stunning character actor he is, not just a ?movie star? or former matinee idol. I think it was Michael Caine who once said the difference between a great movie star and a great movie actor is the star asks ?what will this film role do for me??, whilst the actor asks ?what can I do for this film role??. Well, here Newman doesn?t play the part of Frank Galvin, washed up lawyer; no, for the two hours screen time, Newman simply is, Frank Galvin, washed up lawyer.

It is a subtle, un-showy performance, and that?s what makes it so convincing as Newman gets right into the characters? skin. Galvin?s not a particularly sympathetic character, but still Newman draws you to him, and to begin to care about his possible fate.

This is definitely a character and dialogue driven film, which moves with a slow yet never tedious pace. The Boston winter landscapes and the dark and shadowy interiors both seem to mirror the bleak and lonely place that is Galvin?s soul. For here is a man at the end of his resources of deceit, who can no longer conceal even from himself that he is so far into his whiskey bottle that he can scarcely function as a human being, let alone as a lawyer.

An old friend Morrissey, (played by Jack Warden) has offered him an easy, medical malpractice suit ? the kind that the defendants? insurance company should settle readily out of court for a tidy sum; no publicity, damage limitation, job done. Only, the case is due in court in less than a week, Galvin?s forgotten all about it, and not even looked at the brief. When Morrissey turns up at Galvin?s offices to find out what?s happening, it looks like Galvin has blown his last friendship?.

Belatedly, Galvin seizes the case as a drowning man a straw. He needs the money, but he also needs a purpose, and the case becomes to him a chance to prove he is more than what he has become.

Jack Warden is worth a particular mention as Galvin?s friend, and subsequent reluctant but dogged assistant on the case. James Mason too is wonderful as the wholly oleaginous, expensive, financially limitlessly resourced, opposition lawyer.

To be frank, the actual courtroom finale is a little underwritten. Mason gets to score and win on all the legal and forensic points, and although Newman makes a moving summation, one is left with the unsatisfactory feeling that that the verdict would have been challenged and instantly overturned on appeal.

Never mind. The forensic plot is essentially secondary, a hook on which to hang Galvin?s story. Spend a couple of hours with him. I don?t think you will regret it.

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8 out of 8 people found the following review helpful:

A Truly Amazing Film

Michael Harby from Derbyshire, 2nd November, 2004

The Verdict is a truly amazing film in all respects. The acting is absolutely first rate. Paul Newman should have won the best actor Oscar for this film.

Paul Newman stars as washed up 5 times loser, ambulance-chasing, alcoholic lawyer ? Frank Galvin. Who takes on a case of malpractice where a young woman is left brain dead while in hospital for a routine operation. Rather than go to court he knows that the Catholic Church (owners of the hospital) will offer compensation and awaits their response.

Frank visits the plaintiff in hospital to take pictures of her to show to the doctors lawyers and the hospital representatives. Up until now, Galvin has shown no signs at all of being likeable in any way. Until now that is. Watch Newman?s eyes and face as he takes the pictures and realises that she is a human being and that she has had her life taken away. Then he becomes human. Newman has never been better.

On visiting the other side with the pictures he is offered compensation of over $200,000 but does not accept. After seeing her in hospital he feels it?s his duty to get more for her and help her as much as he can. It?s as if he can?t say yes to the offer. You?re willing him to accept, but he doesn?t.

We then follow Frank in the run up to the court appearance. Battling against the might of the catholic church. Where witnesses are scared off and silenced. Even the presiding judge seems to be against Frank. Helping the opposing side at every turn. He has never won a legal battle, 5 times a loser before. With number 6 on the horizon.

The exchanges where Newman tries to get a delay on court proceedings as well as where he tried to back track on appearing in court and get the compensation offer back are incredible.

James Mason is at his absolute best as the opposing lawyer.

Jack Warden as Galvin?s friend and assistant is amazing.

Charlotte Rampling, in probably her best role since the Night Porter.

Sidney Lumet is probably one of Hollywood?s finest directors ever bar none, with film?s such as 12 Angry Men & Serpico to name but a few. His direction is first rate. Check out his commentary for a brilliant insight into filmmaking. Not a ?look what I can do? commentary as is so often the case with many director commentaries, but so enlightening and wonderful. He pays credit where credit is due and you can tell that he loves every detail of the filmmaking process.

An absolute joy to watch and watch again and again.

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6 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Exceptional- a MUST-SEE!

ATfilmcritic from London, 26th September, 2005

Sidney Lumet, one of the seventies’ greatest directors, has in his time blessed the world with not one masterful courtroom drama, but two. And, while perhaps not the classic that '12 Angry Men' is, 'The Verdict' comes very, very close; it is a sobering, rawly emotional look at one man’s disastrous fall in the eyes of everyone he knows and everything he values.

Paul Newman was officially cheated of an Oscar in his staggering depiction of an alcoholic lawyer spiraling in self-disgust, and the film matches him step for step, always taking a turn for the worse, unpredictable up to the final shot.

That this beautifully crafted drama has gone unnoticed for so long is a crime: the farrago that was 80s Hollywood made few films better than this.

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3 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:

How all good movies should be made

Dana from London, England, 20th September, 2005

Enjoyed watching fifth time! As a lawyer, and movie lover as well. Everything is top rated, from acting, plot, directing... First class!

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what i think

A Customer from Solihull, 2nd July, 2009

Excellent story, excellent acting.

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Paul Newman's Finest Performance, in Tale of Redemption...

A Customer from London, 17th April, 2009

In a career of unforgettable portrayals, 'The Verdict' stands as Paul Newman's pinnacle; as a shattered idealistic lawyer, on an alcoholic road to self-destruction, finding a chance at redemption, he is absolutely perfect. With respect to Ben Kingsley, Newman SHOULD have won the 'Best Actor' Oscar in 1982! Directed by Sidney Lumet, from a remarkably candid screenplay by David Mamet, this is a film that never makes a wrong step. Newman's 'Frank Galvin' is not heroic, or even likable, in the film's opening scenes, but he finds, in a simple malpractice suit, an injustice so blatant that he sees an opportunity to redeem himself...but he'll have to defeat a rich, duplicitous law firm (headed by legendary James Mason), argue before an indifferent judge (Milo O'Shea), and, worst of all, face betrayal from within his tiny circle of friends, if he has any hope of rising out of his personal 'hell'. With a superb cast, including the remarkable Jack Warden as his ex-mentor/best friend, and Charlotte Rampling, as the woman he trusts far too much, 'The Verdict' is raw, powerful, and occasionally disturbing, but never dull! This new two-disc edition is certainly THE version to own, with commentary by Newman and Lumet, and an entire disc of extras, including Lumet and Newman's personal recollections, and several 'Making of' documentaries, from 1982, and today. You'll never find a more complete presentation of a truly extraordinary film! There are few films that I can watch, again and again, and never grow tired of...'The Verdict' is one. Bravo to Newman, Lumet, Mamet, and everyone involved in creating this classic!

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The Verdict

A Customer from Leicester, 5th February, 2009

Strong storysensitively acted and totally believable.

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The Verdict

A Customer from Cheltenham, 18th January, 2009

An intelligent and gripping courtroom drama with excellent performances by the cast-full of twists and turns , and suspenseful to the end.

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