Anthony Dowd
Not a review but my experience with the actors. I was playing piano in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Richmond VA, where cast and crew were staying. For two weeks, my solo audience, 5 nights a week, was Jack Lemmon. Walking around from time to time: Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Paul Dooley. And there was one guy who brought his black Labrador Retriever on location. This guy kept hanging all over Jack Lemmon, when Lemmon wasn't sitting in front of me eating a small pizza, reading a magazine. That guy turned out to be Kevin Spacey. He wasn't quite a big star yet, but as Lemmon was my favorite actor, and currently Spacey is my favorite actor, I wish I'd spoken to him. I never did bother Lemmon. We just said hellos and goodbyes, but I figured he didn't need me bugging him after a long day of shooting. Plus, as I know he was an amateur jazz pianist, I was flattered that he wanted to sit there every night, listening to me. What a fun life I've had. Just thought I'd share.
trob226
This TV miniseries would put most feature films to shame. First rate story, historically based, first rate cast all at the top of their game, all seemed to know that this was an important story to tell. The late Jack Lemmon, the late Richard Jordan, Peter Gallagher, Charles Dutton and Robert Prosky were spot on, and I thought Rebecca Miller as Lucille Frank was marvelous. Even the more minor characters (which included a young William H. Macy as "W.H.Macy") were letter perfect. The only thing that keeps me from giving the film a 10 is that it needed to be tightened up in the last hour or so, but if you edited it a bit and otherwise released it as a feature right now, Oscars would be handed out. It's that compelling and that well executed.
Clara19987
Although it's been a while since I've seen this movie, I had a renewed interest in it when I found out there was a musical of the same story. It's really a truly remarkable and shameful story of American history, and I am glad that such wonderful artists have chosen to bring it back to life. The musical is very good, and the movie is just as lovely. Once again, Peter Gallagher hits the nail right on the head. I've done a lot of research on the real life story, and the movie and musical are very true to it, even in the smallest of details. Thank God for a good story! Everyone needs to see a story like this, and it's a shame that this was only made for TV and not actually released in theatres.
sherlock-34
This program boasts a great cast, but more importantly it is a textbook case of how a television drama should be mounted. An intriguing but basic courtroom drama that takes on greater significance as the plot develops. Fine characterizations abound in this production. It doesn't get much better than this.