Read Mixed User Reviews for The Judge (2014)

6

Movie1997Dec 27, 2014

While there was originally some Oscar potential for this court-room drama, it sadly failed to be a contender. To start, the direction of this film felt lost from time to time. Maybe someone else like, preferable anyone else (except forWhile there was originally some Oscar potential for this court-room drama, it sadly failed to be a contender. To start, the direction of this film felt lost from time to time. Maybe someone else like, preferable anyone else (except for Michael Bay or M. Night Shamaylan). Also, the film stretches certain scenes that come off as unnecessary. But despite its flaws, Robert Duvall is the saving grace of this film. His character holds the movie together and is the true character that we come to truly know and love. Robert Downey Jr. is good in the role, but I wish this movie could have been something more, but overall, it's just an enjoyable for the main purpose of Robert Duvall and the court case scenes primarily. I give this a B-!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

royphishoohFeb 7, 2015

Very watchable, interesting plot but a bit too long. Downey is great, Duvall acts well as a horrible control freak. I didn't like the other characters at all. The film eloquently demonstrates just how dysfunctional America has become.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

TVJerryOct 18, 2014

Robert Downey Jr. chews up a role that's customized for his overblown, confident style. He plays a big-city lawyer who returns to his small hometown and the very strained relationship with his father (Robert Duvall), a judge in more ways thanRobert Downey Jr. chews up a role that's customized for his overblown, confident style. He plays a big-city lawyer who returns to his small hometown and the very strained relationship with his father (Robert Duvall), a judge in more ways than one. When the judge is accused of murder, his son swoops to his defense. While much of Downey's grandstanding is enjoyable and Duvall's performance is exceptional, this screenplay is chocked full of cliches and an overabundance of mean-spirited interactions. There is a relatively solid court case at the center, but the excessive length and obvious attempts to create a compelling drama weigh on the final verdict.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

FleshWorldOct 17, 2014

Robert Downey Junior is good in this film but not nearly as good as he could've been if he had a better director showing him the way. It's a sweet film that meanders a little bit too much for its own good. I certainly wouldn't recommend it,Robert Downey Junior is good in this film but not nearly as good as he could've been if he had a better director showing him the way. It's a sweet film that meanders a little bit too much for its own good. I certainly wouldn't recommend it, but I enjoyed it and I'm glad that I saw it. It may be hangs on for about 15 minutes too long but I can forgive that sin.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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5

joeyriosJan 3, 2015

'The Judge' wasn't much of the big deal. It was entertaining and had a really great supporting performance given by Robert Duvall, I'll give it that, but it isn't really an experience and it can sometimes become forgetful.

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4

tvnewsguidoOct 25, 2014

Meh.

Unlikable people doing unpleasant things. They're all miserable, dried up husks of people who have fffed up their lives so completely that nothing at all will ever make it better. The actors play these parts well but you reallyMeh.

Unlikable people doing unpleasant things. They're all miserable, dried up husks of people who have fffed up their lives so completely that nothing at all will ever make it better.

The actors play these parts well but you really just don't care what happens to them.… Expand

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6

ClariseSamuelsFeb 23, 2015

Despite the critics’ complaints about clichés, The Judge keeps the action moving and manages to entertain. It was an Oscar-nomination vehicle for Robert Duvall in the title role, who roared through the script so that even his clichéd linesDespite the critics’ complaints about clichés, The Judge keeps the action moving and manages to entertain. It was an Oscar-nomination vehicle for Robert Duvall in the title role, who roared through the script so that even his clichéd lines sounded like originals when spoken by such a legendary actor. However, the film was a disappointment for Robert Downey, Jr. in the role of the sharp, city-slicker lawyer, Hank Palmer. Downey has told the press that he covets an Oscar, and this was the first attempt from the ma & pa production company with the unlikely name “Team Downey” to get him a nomination.

Although Downey has his moments, there is still more than a hint of the Iron Man persona lurking underneath the attorney's expensive suit and designer sunglasses. Downey is still magnificent to behold with his intensity and his sensitive dark eyes as he deals with a father who is so stubborn that he is self-destructive. And his character's questionable ethics as a brilliant lawyer who can get anyone to walk suits his problematic personality. (He is his usual hyperactive self in the film, which is written into the script when his ex-girlfriend says he talks continuously “like vomit.”) When accused of only defending the guilty, Downey’s best line is, “Innocent people can’t afford me.”

A surprisingly effective performance pops up in the form of Billy Bob Thornton, who plays Dwight Dickham, a steely lawyer with an ax to grind, and even when he sees his enemy defeated and broken down in tears, his sense of humanity, which arises only for a moment, is quickly suppressed. There are some philosophical thoughts about the nature of justice buried in the script, but many weak areas prevail. Hank Palmer has two brothers. The older brother (Vincent D’Onofrio) seems to bear no relation to him; the younger brother (Jeremy Strong) is autistic but the autistic personality is not consistently portrayed.

Much to my amusement, Downey has a few love scenes in this film, and he actually has a scene with an onscreen wife. Of course, the only reason he appeared with a wife was to make it clear that they hated each other and were definitely getting a divorce. His love scene with the young bartender (Leighton Meester) shows them kissing only briefly, and it’s a long shot. The more complicated kissing scenes with his hometown ex-girlfriend (Vera Farmiga) look a little stiff and uncomfortable. So I had to smile when Farmiga remarked in an interview that producer Susan Downey was on the set the whole time, and that Farmiga kept looking over to Mrs. Downey for approval because, after all, Susan Downey kisses her husband all the time. So that explains the robotic moves. Farmiga is a great actress; it’s hard to make her look wooden.

I suspect that if Robert Downey wants an Oscar nomination, he should issue an edict announcing that the producer isn’t allowed on the set.… Expand