The Devil's Advocate (1997)

Fun flick with major problems
I wound up buying this movie in a clearance bin at the local walmart, since I like horror, and I like legal thrillers and this seemed like a blend of the two.
The movie has some enjoyable parts--Al Pacino hams it up as the devil, but he does so in a funny/enjoyable way bordering on self parody. It wasn't the strongest acting from him by any stretch but it was certainly still good acting and it fitted the movie; over the top, cheesy but still enjoyable.
Reeves was wooden, no surprise, but it was a pain. I wish they'd gotten someone else for his role. He's one of the worst big name actors out there and he did drag the movie down.

As far as plot goes...well, I'm torn. The movie was a transparent morality play and fairly predictable but still enjoyable to watch--you knew what would happen, and how it would wind up, but you could still enjoy the show. You weren't left counting down the minutes till it was over and it didn't drag much. The pacing was well done and until the end, although it was predictable it wasn't a groaner. I guess, in food terms (I'm hungry!) I'd liken it to a meal at a fast food resturant. You know more or less what you'll get, you know it isn't high art but it can still hit the spot. You just have to forgive the flaws and enjoy the ride.

Invigorating!
I am applying to law school. If you look at law school blogs by applicants, current students, and graduates, you will find that elite law firms in places like New York are often villified as hypercompetitive and elitist (i.e. top 10 law schools like Harvard or Columbia look down on tier 2 schools). Greed for money and excessive hours of work are common complaints about "BIG LAW" in blogs. This movie brings all those complaints to life with an outrageous plot. Al Pacino is the head of an international New York firm that is BIG, and he's the devil! The acting by Pacino is great. As a current Florida resident, I can tell you that Reeves does not sound like a real southerner from the SEC region. (Although his mother does). I know that Reeves is actually half Hawaiian in real life, so that is an unrealistic expectation for him to fake a southern accent. But Reeves' acting hits the right tone at the end in his final confrontation with Milton, or the devil.

Invigorating!
I am applying to law school. If you look at law school blogs by applicants, current students, and graduates, you will find that elite law firms in places like New York are often villified as hypercompetitive and elitist (i.e. top 10 law schools like Harvard or Columbia look down on tier 2 schools). Greed for money and excessive hours of work are common complaints about "BIG LAW" in blogs. This movie brings all those complaints to life with an outrageous plot. Al Pacino is the head of an international New York firm that is BIG, and he's the devil! The acting by Pacino is great. As a current Florida resident, I can tell you that Reeves does not sound like a real southerner from the SEC region. (Although his mother does). I know that Reeves is actually half Hawaiian in real life, so that is an unrealistic expectation for him to fake a southern accent. But Reeves' acting hits the right tone at the end in his final confrontation with Milton, or the devil.