The Judge directed by David Dobkin

A recommended movie made in today's society would be, "The Judge", directed by David Dobkin, who also directed familiar titles such as: "Clay Pigeons" and "Wedding Crashers". The movie was created within in a budget of $50 million, and featured Robert Downy Jr. as Hank Palmer, and Robert Duvall as Joseph Palmer.

A successful defense attorney in Chicago by the name of Hank Palmer, is in a struggle of receiving a divorce. Hank then receives a call from his brother bringing news about their mother's passing, which leads to Hank traveling back to his childhood home to attend the funeral. He reunites with his brothers Glen, who owns a tire shop, and his autistic brother Dale, who is an aspiring filmmaker, and carries a 8mm camera with him everywhere he goes. While his visit, his father, Joseph Palmer, is the Judge of the town, and has been suspected in a murder trial. Hank witnesses the first trial for his father, he becomes upset at the defense lawyer during the session and then is offered to take over for his father. During his stay, his father acknowledges guests friendly, while still remaining with a cold response towards his son. After some speculating, Hank notices his father vehicle damaged upon preparing to leave. Joseph denies any knowledge of how it had happened, and then is soon discovered that his father is interrogated by police about a hit and run situation. After then discovering his father undergoing chemotherapy, he returns to the defense of his father, however his father soon accepts the offer due to concerns of his sons reputation being affected. More drama between the family is discovered of his father being involved in a car accident, with his father being drunk, and his brother, who was in the vehicle, having injuries, ending his baseball career. The relationship between Joseph and Hank are then becoming slim, having the trial being sabotaged by the Joseph, by admitting to the crime, even though Joseph is still unaware, however, is believed that he has unintentionally committed the crime. Joseph is then sentenced to four years in jail under voluntary manslaughter. After being released after seven months on compassionate parole, he goes fishing with his father, where it is then revealed that the cancer is terminal. Hank and Joseph also released the tension between them, by Joseph acknowledging Hank as the best defense attorney he has ever known and soon peacefully passes away. Hank then returns to the courtroom his father used to reign over and spins the chair which then comes to a stop pointing at him.

Shooting took place in Attleboro, Belmont, Dedham, Sunderland, and Waltham, Massachusetts. Other scenes also were filmed in Pennsylvania and Worcester, Massachusetts. Within the movie's script the author was keeping a sharp eye on trying to have these characters, mostly Hank, facing the changes again from a living in a major city, to living back in the small town. These changes were very important and very well executed by Robert Downy Jr., and the dynamic character had been complete.

A few good notes on the characters is the performance of how the drama was carried through the trials, especially in Hank's perception of the trials. During the first trial, while making observations in his fathers case, he took notes and became frustrated with the attorney in his father's defense, because of the difference in their knowledge of the situation.

The film's success was greatly approved in making 2nd Best U.S. Feature Film of the Mill Valley Film Festival and the Heartland Film Festival, in 2014. It was also nominated for Best Original Score-Feature Film of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in the same year. The Supporting Actor of the Year was also won from the 18th Hollywood Film Awards. In 2015 it received a numerous of nominations in Best Supporting Actor, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Score, from award ceremonies such as the 87th Academy Awards, 72nd Golden Globe Awards, 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards, 20th Critics' Choice Awards and the 19th Satellite Awards.

The film had made $84.4 million in box office, and was a successful movie to the audience and critics. "Touching on home truths about justice and the law, aging parents and their balky children, The Judge launches enough emotional pyrotechnics to satisfy most audiences." - Richard Corliss, Time. From my personal interests, it had an amazing storyline and plot to connect the dots together. It had also brought up a lot of emotions carrying over from the family's situation, but also very intriguing to see the characters interactions, such as Hank Palmer's performance during the trials.

 CONTACT HOURS