Films that show the work of lawyers and the judicial system
While the holidays are underway, I decided to work as a film critic again and make my shortlist of favorite legal films. I tried to indicate those films that either have a historical basis or show the work of lawyers/the judicial system, so the list does not include, for example, "The Devil's Advocate" with Al Pacino or "The Judge" with Downey Jr. They are also super interesting, but more about people and relationships.
So, my top is not in order of popularity.
1. My Cousin Vinny/My cousin Vinny. A legal comedy, which, nevertheless, was filmed close to the truth, including, let's say, the peculiarities of the southern states.
2. The Lincoln Lawyer/Lincoln for a lawyer. An interesting problem of professional ethics of a lawyer, which the main character played by McConaughey is trying to solve.
3. Philadelphia/Philadelphia. A good illustration of how long the United States has come in recent decades towards protecting human rights.
4. The Rainmaker/Benefactor. In fact, the translation of the name is not accurate, although it is impossible to accurately translate. Rainmaker - literally "rainmaker" in American legal slang means "one who brings a lot of orders or clients to a law firm." The film shows well why large companies are often not afraid of the courts, but one large trial can destroy a large company.
5 and 6. The firm. There’s not even anything to say: a classic by Grisham along with The pelican brief/The Case of the Pelicans.
7. The Trial of the Chicago 7/The trial of the Chicago Seven. A film about the judicial lawlessness of the early 70s, shot close to historical truth. The film is simply captivating and reminiscent of a Russian trial. Spoiler: unlike Russia, an appeal will restore justice.
8....And Justice for All/Justice for all. Another film that shows how much the American justice system has progressed (which, I should add, still has a lot of problems).
9. Marshall/Marshall. A film about the beginning of the career of one of my favorite Supreme Court justices, Thurgood Marshall. I will make a reservation that it was sad for me to watch the film: with all the problems of blacks even before desegregation and with all the negative attitude of the judge against the young black lawyer and his client, the judge cannot do anything with the requirements of the law; It doesn't work like that in Russia...
10. Dark Waters/Dark Waters. The film is based on real events about how lawyer Rob Bilott sued the giant DuPont and shows well why it is difficult to sue large companies in the USA.
Author: Igor Slabykh
