A Civil Action

Name: A Civil Action
Genre: Drama
Released: December 25, 1998
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 68
Cast: John Travolta, Kathleen Quinlan, Robert Duvall

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 68 Ratings

See All

7.7

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 68 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

A Civil Action

Now Playing: A Civil Action

Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 1998 | PG-13

Starring: John Travolta, Kathleen Quinlan, Robert Duvall

Summary: A tenacious young lawyer (Travolta) is confronted with the case of a lifetime in this unbelievable real-life story.

Director: Steven Zaillian

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 115 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Film.com Norman Green

The convergence of storytelling mastery, acting virtuosity and star power makes A Civil Action one of the greatest films of the year. Read full review

Janet Maslin

It tells a finely nuanced tale of right, wrong and the gray area in between. Read full review

Richard Schickel

A smart, tough, yet curiously moving film. Read full review

Peter Rainer

I'm all for films that don't flow from the usual Hollywood test tubes, but A Civil Action is basically the standard formula with a dash of downbeat. Read full review

Film.com John Hartl

All the ingredients are here for both a smashing courtroom drama and a legitimate tearjerker, but the film ultimately doesn't have the technique or the heart to deliver either. Read full review

Charles Taylor

Millions of people read Harr's gripping bestseller, but Steven Zaillian may be the only one who didn't understand it. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

A multifaceted misfire from writer-director Steven Zaillian. Read full review

SEE ALL 26 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Receptacle

Jun 23, 2021

+++++++++++++++++++++++××××××××÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷=====+++++++++++
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bram29

Oct 15, 2011

the movie was interesting to watch, though it has the general flaw of 'based on a true story'-movies of the ending being kind of an anticlimax. but the characters were very believable and i watched it all the way through.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cameronmorewood

Nov 18, 2012

A Civil Action proves to be a solid legal drama, and that's mostly thanks to its stellar characters, who are played with quiet control by some talented actors.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EpicLadySponge

May 3, 2016

One of John Travolta's last films worth loving before the dreadful Battlefield Earth came and ruined the poor guy's career. I bet he's doing alright by now.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

harvdog03

Oct 30, 2018

Pretty solid courtroom drama based on a true story. I felt the characters were really good.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

May 7, 2013

It's a good movie and I went back-and-forth between giving this a 7 or 8, but ultimately chose an 8. Travolta is good in the lead role and Macy is great in his supporting role as well. Being that the movie is based on a true story, the empathy you feel for the plaintiffs is certainly moreIt's a good movie and I went back-and-forth between giving this a 7 or 8, but ultimately chose an 8. Travolta is good in the lead role and Macy is great in his supporting role as well. Being that the movie is based on a true story, the empathy you feel for the plaintiffs is certainly more powerful and I think that really helps the film along. Robert Duvall was also great in his role as the defense attorney.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 6 REVIEWS

58	#58 Best Movie of 1998
72	#72 Most Discussed Movie of 1998