REVIEW: ***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

Hank Palmer is a defense attorney in Chicago. He learns that his mother passed away so he goes home to Indiana. And he has to deal with his father, the town judge whom he doesn't have good relationship with. All he wants is to leave but as he is leaving, his brother calls him to tell him they're father's been arrested. It seems like after the funeral, the judge went out and it appears he ran over someone. And it turns out it was a man, who killed someone and the judge could have stopped when he threatened the person he would eventually kill but instead was lenient with him. Hank is incredulous because the judge was a drinker but the judge says he's been on the wagon for over 20 years. Hank offers to defend him but the judge doesn't want him.

If you want to talk about a movie out there that has a lot of plot...then you haven't seen The Judge. This movie is filled with plot. It just seems to be coming at you, like a drunk at a bar that doesn't realize you aren't interested in their sexual advances. It was kind of hard to keep track of everything. But the biggest plot point you need to keep track of, is the one surrounding the relationship between the father and sons...and between the brothers.

I will admit, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie...because from the trailers, it seemed like a stereotypical father/son drama, with a murder mystery thrown in for good measure. But this movie was actually so much more...I truly enjoyed it.

Robert Downey Jr. always seems like Robert Downey Jr. to me. I'm sorry if that sounds like a bash, I'm not meaning to. I think he is a good actor...but his character portrayals seem like they could be interchanged from movie to movie. And like I said, that isn't a problem. His character in this is very much a pompous ass...and we all know he can play that VERY well.

Vincent D'Onofrio and Jeremy Strong play the other brothers. And this is where the family dynamic starts to shine through. The performances are so well done, that you actually can feel the tension between the brothers. And that is something that is normally overlooked when it comes to films like these. You are just supposed to accept that they are related, even if it doesn't feel natural. And Jeremy's character, Dale, is a slow-witted character. And these characters always seem to tug at my heart-strings. Yes, beneath this tough-guy exterior, there is a heart believe it or not...lol. This character is a really fun one to see in this film...because he is the one that tries to bring things back to normal. I mean, when stuff starts getting heavy...he is here to lighten the mood, and bring it back to the heart.

Billy Bob Thorton plays the defense attorney, and he does his usual, amazing job. Dax Shepard also is in this film. I could go on and on talking about how great everyone in this film was...because the acting in this movie is outstanding.

But I need to talk about Robert Duvall. I love him in everything I've ever seen him. And I don't think he and Downey have played in the same film before...it's something I'll have to look up, at a later time. But the two of them pay so fuckin' well off of each other. There is so much distain, and so much hate that is portrayed here, that, again, you truly feel this is a extremely strained father/son relationship.

And it's all these different aspects that makes this film so deep. He is on trial for the murder of a man that he sent to prison. And Robert Downey Jr. is trying to prove his innocence, but Duvall is stopping him at every turn.

SPOILERS COMING: And when it is revealed that the father has cancer, and had been undergoing treatment, that causes him mental gaps...it is really hard to see these scenes. Because the father starts to believe that maybe he did it, and the sons start to come to grip with the fact that he probably did do the terrible deed as well. And that is such a hard concept to try to get across in todays cinema. Most movies strive to have happy endings, that why every audience member can go back home and have dreams of puppy dog tails. But that just isn't how life is. And this movie doesn't shy away from that. EXTREME SPOILER ALERT: So it didn't surprise me too much when the father was convicted and sentenced to jail. And again it wasn't a surprise, that since he had cancer, that he would get released via compassionate release. But I wasn't expecting him to actually die the minute he gets out of jail. That was very hard.

All in all. This is a movie that I normally would have passed on. So I am glad I saw this film. I will more than likely see any movie once...but I will only recommend a movie if it is was I could see myself watching again. And this film definitely qualifies for that. So if you are a guy who has to see things in theaters...I recommend doing so. You won't be disappointed.

I would really like to hear your thoughts on this film as well, please feel free to email your comments in the contact section here on the website. Or comment on the post for this in the facebook page (link is at the bottom).

Till Next Tim Kiddies...

-RJ