In honor of The Trial of the Chicago 7 going to Netflix this weekend, we’re going to rank the Best Ever Courtroom movies. Let us know @Siftpop what your ranking is!
It’s the film that made Edward Norton a household name, deservedly so. Norton gives a star-making performance as an altar boy on trial for the murder of a beloved archbishop. After a lawyer with a love of the spotlight (Richard Gere) takes on his case, information comes to light that proves there’s more to this case than meets the eye. Gere is at the height of his powers here and he and Laura Linney’s prosecutor play well off each other as adversaries in the courtroom, even if the fact they’re former lovers is a bit cliché. The ending to this one is among the all-time greats and elevates the movie. When it’s paired with the rock star performances, its legacy as a gripping courtroom drama is one that’s well earned. (Jake Bourgeois)
I mean, this is the “Big mistake, Huge!” scene from Pretty Woman personified in a movie, really! Julia Roberts plays a badass single mother as she uncovers a conspiracy, which is literally poisoning the water of an area in small town America. Not taking any prisoners or back talk, she marches through this movie with her head on high. Plus, when you add to the fact that this is a true story, you have all kinds of greatness! I seriously enjoy this movie every time I watch it and have been known to pop it in when I’m needing to rile myself up with some motivation. A quintessential underdog movie, this is one that shouldn’t be missing from your watch list. It’s a high recommendation from me! (Alice Micheli)
Between The Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia, the early 90s were great for director Jonathan Demme. But I’m here to talk about Philadelphia, the 1993 courtroom drama starring both Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. After Andrew Beckett (Hanks) is fired because of an HIV diagnosis in the late 1980s, he hires a homophobic lawyer (Washington) to defend him in court. It’s an important story about discrimination and learning to understand those who are different from us, or even who challenge societal norms. Both actors give strong performances (Hanks won the Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role) and Demme’s direction pulls it all together. This powerful movie has everything that you want from a courtroom drama and then some. (Robert Bouffard)
Liar Liar is one of my favorite Jim Carrey comedies. It has all the things that makes Jim Carey stand out to me as a ridiculous funnyman while showing that the guy has some depth in a more relatable, sincere guy. Sure, when we meet lawyer, Fletcher Reede he’s a “pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard” (figuratively speaking) but when his son makes a birthday wish for one day of honesty from his father, it rocks Fletcher’s world more than a few rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard. Jim Carey is used to his fullest with all the high energy antics and insanely quotable lines. One particular quote I spent forever rehearsing just so I could say it roughly as quickly as him. But again, this film brings more heart than early Carey’s work would have led you to believe and opens the gates for amazingly good follow ups like The Truman Show. AND the court scenes are fantastic. The cleverness of having a man who has relied on lying to build his career now having the most exercised reflex completely eliminated and having to use every trick he can think of to win anyways is inspired. Liar Liar just nails everything and I have struggled every moment writing this to not just fill a page of all the quotes flowing through my head. This film is a classic, trust me. (Evan Lucken)
As a lawyer, I’ve had to learn that people aren’t just good or just bad. People are many things. I don’t care where this actually ends up on the list, it deserves to be either #1 or #2, MAYBE #3 because Anatomy of a Murder is not only one of the best courtroom dramas of all time, but one of the finest movies of all time. Directed by Otto Preminger and starring James Stewart, Anatomy of a Murder follows the trial of an army lieutenant who is arrested for the murder of a bartender who he claims beat up and raped his wife, which seems simple enough, but the wife supports the story and the police surgeon cannot find any proof of rape; enter Jimmy Stewart. Of course, I’m only describing some of the big elements of the beginning of this story, but this movie is nothing but suspense and charm the whole way through. If you decide to check this movie out, be prepared for perhaps the most thrilling court case you’ve seen on film, the best Jimmy Stewart performance (that’s right, I SAID IT!), some of the most competent directing you’ve ever seen, and a desire to start it right back up again from the beginning. Anatomy of a Murder is guaranteed to be an amazing experience. (Aaron Schweitzer)
My brother and I are both huge movie fans, and one thing that’s often discussed between us is how many great movies we missed in theaters in 2007, either because we weren’t old enough to be admitted into them, or we just didn’t have a chance to see them. Writer-director Tony Gilroy’s legal-thriller, Michael Clayton, is one of those movies. The story follows the titular “fixer” (George Clooney) for a New York City law firm as he deals with the mental instability of a colleague (Tom Wilkinson) and the corruption surrounding a client of the firm who’s being sued over the effects of toxic agrochemicals. While Clooney is typically great, it’s Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton, who plays a top lawyer for the agricultural products company, who are the main reasons to see this movie. Wilkinson is fantastic in the way his character’s personality adds to the unpredictable nature of the film’s intriguing, labyrinth narrative. And Swinton is superb as the desperate legal counsel who sets a few irreversible events in motion. Although Michael Clayton can sometimes be heavy with the legal jargon, it’s nevertheless a compelling thriller that can get your blood pumping from the brilliance of the screenplay, acting, and directing. (Vincent Abbatecola)
As a SiftPop writer, I’m required to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth……but what if you can’t handle the truth? A Few Good Men, one of my all-time favorite films, takes place in the scope of an investigation and trial involving the death of a Marine based at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a laid back attorney of the JAG Corps, must defend two marines charged with murder while also going against their hard-nosed commander, Colones Jessup (Jack Nicholson), who Kaffee’s clients claim gave them orders to teach their now dead squadmate a lesson. This movie hits all the right notes for me, with amazing acting performances from the entire cast, a thrilling storyline from beginning to end, a fantastic soundtrack (including one Big Mama Thornton), and one of the most iconic moments from both Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson’s careers. (Joseph Davis)
When you combine the efforts of two individuals who are largely considered the gold standard in their given craft, you get 2010’s The Social Network. Director, David Fincher and screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin were the perfect melding to conquer the prolific rise of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and the internet juggernaut that is now Facebook. They brilliantly lay out the events during Zuckerberg’s time at Harvard and how he slowly developed this idea of a social network in conjunction with his then friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). Seeing the infancy of this idea as a way in which to rank girls on local college campuses then turn into a profitable start-up is simply fascinating. The cold and almost sociopathic nature of Zuckerberg’s maneuvering is partly appalling and commendable in some respect. He had a goal in mind and executed accordingly despite any type of moral grounds he would be stomping all over. Whether it be the smug Winklevoss Twins, or his best friend Eduardo, there is an air of smarminess to his every move. Jesse Eisenberg channels Mark Zuckerberg with every almost unknowingly slight that he commits towards everyone around him. The push and pull relationship of Mark and Eduardo is full of highs and lows alike, you want these two to thrive and succeed in their endeavor. The film brilliantly unravels that this isn’t a story for friends creating a company together and slowly shows the dissension taking place between the two. The irony of a person creating the largest social network to connect people, who happens to sever every connection he had to do so. (Joe Vargas)
There are some films that discuss difficult subjects that, while a hard watch, are still films and topics that feel like they’re a necessity to watch and discuss. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of these. Set in the south during The Great Depression and told through the eyes of a six year old child nicknamed “Scout” (Mary Badham), this is the story of attorney Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), who agrees to defend a black man charged with a crime he didn’t commit. This movie, to me, provides an interesting yet important glimpse into life decades after the civil war, when in all too many cases a man accused of a crime would be considered guilty purely because of his race (something that, quite honestly, plagues the United States to the present day). Lynch mob and white supremacist violence would supersede any form of law and order (such as with the Tulsa Race Massacre, Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, the 1934 Shelbyville Tennessee race riot, the Ocoee Masacer of 1920, on top of many, many others through America), and where any white person seen helping or supporting them were considered little more than traitors. While this film can be a hard watch at times, especially in terms of language and the topics involved, each and every actor brings a memorable performance to this movie and it is a film that almost feels like a required watch in order for the audience to learn from a deeply painful part of American history. (Joseph Davis)
How can a film that only resides inside the confines of a single room be so intense? Just ask Sidney Lumet since he was able to accomplish this tenfold with his classic crime-drama, 12 Angry Men. The scene is set with 12 jurors debating the fate of a man falsely accused of a crime. Classic Hollywood good guy, Henry Fonda, leads the way as Juror 8 who refuses to give into the peer pressure of the fellow jurors. Fonda is forced to go toe-to-toe with tough guy actor, Lee J. Cobb, who refuses to give up on his stubbornness. A drama that fights for the soul of humanity in the face of prejudice and judgment, 12 Angry Men stands the test of time and unfortunately so relevant today. If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy this perfect build of tension, treat yourself! (Shane Conto)
Honorable Mentions
Daredevil Director’s Cut
I already know you didn’t see this pick coming for courtroom movies, and that’s exactly why I chose it. I still believe that to this day, the Director’s Cut of Daredevil is a good movie. I think the friendship between Matt and Foggy (Ben Affleck, Jon Favreau) is fun to watch, as the rest of the movie tends to focus on a more serious tone outside of their scenes. The courtroom stuff with Coolio that’s featured in the Director’s cut gives us more time with them, and helps Affleck’ performance come across as more likable. This helps the theme of Believing in Justice feel needed for when we see Matt going out and being the Hero that is Daredevil. Also, another good thing about this movie is how fun the villain performances are. Michael Clarke Duncan as Kingpin is really entertaining to watch and It’s a shame he never got to come back to play this role again in live action. I can see why others don’t like Colin Farrell as Bullseye, but I think due to how much fun he’s having as the character, it makes it enjoyable from that aspect. I’d recommend going and checking out this Director’s cut if you haven’t seen it or if it’s been a while, it gives a lot to the original that was missing. (Alex Henderson)
The Rainmaker
While I cannot be overly sympathetic for Francis Ford Coppola because he has made some of the greatest movies of all time, it must be somewhat difficult to get out from under your own filmmaking shadow. Coppola has been held to such a high standard that it sometimes feels his other movies are judged harshly in comparison. I believe that was the case with The Rainmaker. Coppola fills this movie with his signature direction style as well as kinetic and intense dialogue. The cast assembled are all knocking it out of the park with notably strong performances from Matt Damon and Danny DeVito. Above all, it serves as a really brilliant legal drama about one family against an insurance company that unfortunately still rings true today. The actual courtroom scenes are brilliantly acted and, while certain events are a little extreme, the actual proceedings in the courtroom feel as if they could be very real. The movie is over 2 hours, but I never felt the length and felt glued to the film from the first moments. If you haven’t watched The Rainmaker before or haven’t seen it in a while, it might be a fun movie to visit! (Nashua Doll)
Fracture
“Smarter than you” Anthony Hopkins is my favorite subgenre of Anthony Hopkins performances. His trio of performances as Hannibal Lecter and his role in Westworld may get the bulk of the attention in that vein, but I enjoy him just as much here. The film sees him square off with Ryan Gosling, a hot-shot prosecutor in the L.A. district attorney’s office who is assigned his case as he’s set to get his big promotion to a cushy private law firm. While the case would seem to be open and shut on the surface, it proves to be anything but. The moment when things are upended in court is a jaw-dropping moment. That’s not surprising when the director is the person that helmed Primal Fear (Gregory Hoblit). Watching Gosling and Hopkins match wits is incredible. In addition to the leading pair, the rest of the cast is filled to the brim with familiar faces, like David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike, Zoe Kazan, Bob Gunton and Fiona Shaw, among others. It’s one of my favorite courtroom thrillers and one I have to shout out any chance I get. (Jake Bourgeois)
My Cousin Vinny
Will the youngsters even understand any references from My Cousin Vinny I make? Will they even appreciate the need for a quality suit made of cloth? Will they even understand the significance of magic grits and how important intra-kitchen physics are? One thing they should really know is how much of a delight this courtroom comedy is. Joe Pesci puts his snarky comedy and larger than life persona to work as an Italian lawyer from New York going down south to defend his cousin from terrible murder charges. Throw in a fast talking and electric Marisa Tomei and Herman Munster himself and you have yourself a fantastic array of comedic actors. Who doesn’t love a good and hilarious fish-out-of-water story? (Shane Conto)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
The Exorcism of Emily Rose is the right mix of horror and law drama. How would it work? The story switches back and forth between the courtroom scenes featuring an agnostic lawyer trying to believe in faith and the terrifying moments that Emily Rose, who seems to be possessed by a demon, goes through. The film is the right amount of scares and jumps, along with a back-bending performance by Jennifer Carpenter. If you have seen the movie, you know exactly what I mean. As a fan of this film, I believe the dramatics from the courtroom actually did make the film work in an odd way. (Chantal Ashford)
The Judge
Judicial Justice Frank here to talk about The Judge. The 2014 Film starring Robert Downey Jr as one of them big city lawyers coming home to his small town after his mamma falls ill and dies. While home, his father, The Judge played by Robert Duvall, in a night of mournin’ may or may not have hit some jerk with his car and killed him. Now looking down the barrel of murder, Downey Jr comes in to defend him with his big city lawyerin’ skills. The movie has everything: odd humor of a comedy, seriousness of a drama, and just a hint of light incest. Honestly, this movie on my first watch felt like it didn’t know what kind of movie it wanted to be. Constantly fighting with itself on if it’s a comedy or a drama. Now, a couple years removed from it, on re-watch I enjoyed it a lot more. At the end of the day it’s a solid film with great performances all around. I recommend it highly. Now, I do want to dress the giant troupe in the room. Can movies stop making it seem like ALL successful city people always grew up as some sort of country bumpkin? I mean it, I grew up in the middle of nowhere Delaware. It SUCKS. Why do movies always do that?? Back on point. Watch this flick. If you don’t watch it for me, watch it to find out by what I meant by light incest. (Frank Kemp)
Also see: A Time to Kill, Chicago, Just Mercy, Marshall, North Country, On the Basis of Sex, Presumed Innocent, Roman J. Israel, ESQ., Runaway Jury, The Accused, The Lincoln lawyer, The Verdict