...And Justice For All

Welcome back to “Al Pacino Month,” where we are going to look at another one of my favorites of all time, “…And Justice For All,” released in 1979. This couldn’t be a more sarcastic title, perfectly criticizing the violence and lack of justice shown in this excitingly brilliant courtroom drama. Mike Massie stated in his review, “With phenomenal dialogue and character development that recent films somehow forget to include, and with an Academy Award nominated performance by the wondrous Al Pacino, “…And Justice for All” is a must-see film, eloquently released on DVD to outshine it’s most recent emulator, Michael Clayton.”

Famous for his high regards for truth and real justice, Baltimore lawyer Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino) is assigned to defend Judge Fleming (John Forsythe) in a lawsuit. The thing is that Kirkland hates the judge, who has an unusually malevolent love of statuses that frequently hurt Arthur’s clients. In a political move to discourage the idea that hidden deals and negotiations might take place to clear Fleming, Kirkland is blackmailed into defending him in the caste of viciously attacking and raping a young woman. To add even more bad stuff onto this situation, Arthur opening attacks the Judge’s honesty and is confident that he is guilty. His partner Jay Porter, played by television actor Jeffrey Tambor (who you might remember from "The Ropers," "Hill Street Blues," "The Larry Sanders Show," "Arrested Development," and now "WordGirl" and "Transparent") is quickly going insane, and Arthur’s clients are submitting to tragic fates during unfair imprisonment.

Massie says, “From the jazzy and upbeat intro music (gaily carried on throughout much of the film) to the final sarcastic scene on the steps of the courthouse, “…And Justice for All” makes no mistakes cynically battering and brutalizing the legal system. Corruption runs rampant amongst the colorful characters frequenting the courts, and the last thing anyone actually receives is justice.” Judges shoot guns to get order in the courtroom, committees investigate every wrong lawyer, and deals are struck and traded similarly with the stock market. However, past simplay making fun of right and wrong and whether they have anything to do with determining innocence and guilt, the film amazingly builds up characters that are outstandingly brilliant and memorable.

Pacino perfectly plays Kirkland, a skilled lawyer who struggles with his old grandfather (director and acting teacher, the great and memorable Lee Strasberg), saying on the good side of the suicidal Judge Rayford (Jack Warden), keeping a relationship with his girlfriend (Christine Lahti) who sits on a committee that unsuccessfully investigates corruption, and giving accidentally false hopes to his clients that perish in prison. He stays the underdog throughout the film, being stepped on by Fleming, falling victim to regrettable timing, and even being shorter than his fighting girlfriend. Massie admits, “Even our first impression of Arthur is witnessing him in a jail cell after being held in contempt of court for assaulting a judge; these devices allow the contrastingly thrilling climax to be even more powerful and poignant.” “Being honest doesn’t have much to do with being a lawyer,” Arthur says during a conversation with his grandfather.

One of the things “…And Justice For All” does better than most is to connect the audience with hilarious, steel-humored dialogue and plenty of deep emotions and events that combine within the plot. While the main storyline is not completely complex, the several subplots that come in and out and support the main theme give the film a feeling of completeness – not a moment is wasted (despite scenes that don’t move the film forward) and the pacing is accurate. As the plot thickens, we become absorbed in the tragic and absorbing story of a man finding truths and justice in a world overrun with corruption and lies. Massie ends his review by saying, “It’s as thrilling as a ride in a helicopter with insufficient fuel – and when you watch this Norman Jewison masterpiece, you’ll know what I mean.”

Probably the most memorable scene is at the end of the movie when Arthur snaps during the case and says, “You’re out of order! You’re out of order! This entire trial is out of order! They’re out of order!” With a great buildup to that line, it’s definitely worth the wait when he says that at the end. If you love courtroom movies, then this is right up your alley, especially if you’re a Pacino fan. Check this one out because you are missing an amazing film.

Stay tuned for Wednesday for the next installment in “Al Pacino Month.”