gittarzan After giving poor reviews for some of the recent hollywood movies (Annihilation, Black Panther), this is a movie with real characters who change over time, and an interesting story with excellent plot twists.And kudos to the director. The two most pivotal scenes in this movie have no dialog, no words at all. It's all done with eyes and body language. Remarkable.

RNMorton So there are parts of this movie that are as good as it gets in a legal drama (which I usually as a lawyer avoid). Newman is scraping by as an attorney after being disciplined and losing a position with a major firm in some jury misconduct incident (it has always been unclear to me whether he took a dive for his firm or was somewhat involved). Along comes a major malpractice claim against a local Catholic hospital that has left the victim in a coma. Newman, with the help of mentor Jack Warden (great as always) take the case on, and find they have run into a buzz saw from the church, their large and prestigious law firm (led by the despicable James Mason), and biased judge, among some of the many obstacles. The story plays out well, my complaints are: 1) it's sort of a unpleasant scenario to be watched by a practicing attorney, 2) some of the judge's rulings are just goofy even if he's favoring the hospital, 3) one of the big firm's shenanigans defies credibility, and 4) Paul's closing argument sucks. So enjoy the good parts and sort of ignore the problem areas.

HotToastyRag The Verdict is what The Color of Money should have been. In The Color of Money, Paul Newman plays an old hustler who used to be young and famous. He trains and teaches a young upstart, but it was hardly an interesting storyline. Wouldn't it have been a more captivating plot if he used to be young and famous, and now, he's washed up, playing the small time again and struggling with an alcohol problem? I think so.In The Verdict, Paul Newman plays a lawyer who once had a future in a prestigious law firm. Now, he's a washed up alcoholic, chasing ambulances for clients. He's given one last chance to bring a big case to court, but can he get and keep his act together and win? With a running time of over two hours, it feels a little slow. But courtroom dramas can be notoriously slow, especially in the 80s, so it's not the end of the world. It's also a little predictable, but if you like Paul Newman or stories about underdogs, definitely give it a chance.

funsterdad In "The Verdict," you have Sydney Lumet directing a tight, evenly paced courtroom drama. Paul Newman delivers an Oscar worthy performance, as he lets us inside the character of a drunk, washed-up lawyer. This performance was somewhat pivotal in his career: Newman had been cast in more dashing lead roles, but now (1982) was the time for him to take on a role more revealing of his age (56, at the time). Jack Warden delivers a powerful performance as Newman's "side man," a guy trying to encourage Newman to recall his earlier successful days before becoming the classic ambulance chaser. Newman's performance is very emotional, as he seems to be seeking redemption. James Mason is perfectly cast as his foil on the other side, representing two negligent doctors and a diocese-backed hospital of renown. Charlotte Rampling's contribution to the film left this film viewer somewhat dissatisfied, and the film's ending seemed a little abrupt. Otherwise, The Verdict is well worth the time.