The Verdict (1982)

TO TELL THE TRUTH
Terrific cast headed by Newman, whose career has declined due to alcohol.Disregarding all advice, he puts his neck on the line, trying to prove malpractice against 2 prominent Bahstin physicians. Defense attorney Mason sends one doctor on vacation to the Bahamas, is friendly with the judge, and has a staff seemingly large enough to fill Fenway Pahk. He also has Rampling, Newman's alleged girlfriend, who's gone over to the enemy. Meanwhile, Newman has only Warden doing his legwork and a 74 year old unlicensed physician working for him. As the case comes to a close, a former nurse from N.Y. is found who gives damaging testimony against the defendants, but is thrown out on a legal technicality. Newman wins his case anyway, and a full measure of self respect, The slow pacing of the movie is its only signficant drawback. Everyone, especiallly at film's end seems to feed off of Newman's exhaustion. It's a wonder that anyone is awake when the verdict comes in, including the viewer. Otherwise this production is top shelf, well worthy of purchase.

Colossal, inspirational delivery by Newman; one of Oscar's most historic cheats
Newman as a skid-row lawyer at trail's end who stumbles into an epiphany within his soul - and a court case that offers him a redemption from his past.

The Academy, in one of its largest and most controversial gaffes, took a pass on this powerful performance - and instead sent Oscar home with Ben Kingsley for his role as Ghandi. Indeed, it took no less than the story and portrayal of one of the Twentieth Century's most charismatic leaders to cheat Newman out of his due. Four years later, the Academy apologized by handing Newman a statue for "The Color of Money."

Director Lumet purposely and thoroughly drenched the film with sets, architecture, costuming and lighting to create a highly dramatic aura around the tall, tremendous forces of power, influence and corruption that Newman must overcome to find the ethics he once paid dearly to hold - but has since relegated to the bottom of a shot glass. In fact Newman's been laid so low, his shaking hand can't even HOLD the shot glass; rather he has to sip the top off his shot before he picks it up, lest he spill it. That sip is just one of the many intricate details that Newman, of his own design, used to bring realism, drama and sympathy into his characterization.

Newman's final destination is oh-so predictable, but the journey's the thing in this film. The enraptured viewer ends up not caring whether Justice will serve up the correct verdict for the client - but whether the incorrect verdict Justice once pronounced upon Newman will be righteously reversed.

Newman's at the wheel from beginning to end, steering the viewer through the best performance of his career.

Highly recommended.

What a great movie
There are very few directors as good as Sidney Lumet and there are even fewer writers as good as David Mamet. Throw in Paul Newman and James Mason, in roles that stand out in their outstanding careers, and you understand what makes "The Verdict" such a classic. When it comes to legal thrillers, it doesn't get any better than this.