The Judge, a profound portrait of the American justice
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David Dobkin has created a powerful family drama of great emotional complexity and legal intrigue.
Robert Downey Jr shines with subtlety as Hank, a big-city lawyer who returns home to attend his mother's funeral and clashes with his father, the esteemed Judge Joseph, played with earnestness by Robert Duvall.
These acting titans share a scintillating chemistry, uncovering the layers of two proud men dealing with the mistakes of the past.
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Their verbal sparring in Joseph's imposing living room crackles with charged subtext as buried feelings surface.
Vera Farmiga and Vincent D'Onofrio bring heart and hysteria to vibrant supporting roles. But it is Duvall who owns the film, imbuing Joseph with a melancholy regret that elevates him as one of his finest late-career performances.
Authentic locations, measured pacing and sharp dialogue accentuate a truly moving father-son story.
Dobkin directs masterfully, without sentimentality, but finding hope in reconciliation. The Judge is a profound portrait of the American justice system and the American family that will stand the test of time.
Masterful performances and quiet narrative power elevate this legal drama above formula. The best Duvall of his career, reminding us why he remains the champion of cinema's emotional heavyweights in his tenth decade.
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Though unfairly ignored by Academy voters, The Judge was acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. It grossed $48 million on a budget of $50 million, proving that thoughtful cinema continues to attract substantial audiences.
Robert Duvall received a well-deserved Golden Globe nomination for his penetrating portrayal of Judge Joseph Palmer.
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