“Movie Review: THE JUDGE”

“My father is a lot of unpleasant things, but murderer is not one of them.”

One famous line uttered by the lead actor Robert Downey Jr. as Atty. Hank Palmer. For him, his father is already dead until his big brother (Vincent D'Onofrio
As Glen) called to let him go home to his childhood hometown since their mother passed away. Hank is left without so much of a choice. That moment he too is struggling with his wife filing for divorce. He made his way to the top as a big time lawyer in Chicago and had to go home to see his estrange father who is a Judge in their county. His mother’s passing gave them the chance to reunite awkwardly. Until one night after the funeral, his father (Robert Duvall as Judge Joseph Palmer) drove his car to town to get an air. Morning came and Hank was about to fly back to Chicago when his big brother Glen found a stain of blood at the side of the car. It’s a bit smashed too. When Hank ask his father he just got a shrugged from his shoulder saying he cannot remember. Until the police came to investigate since a Mark Blacwell (played by Mark Kiely) is found dead on the street and looked as though hit by a car. True enough, the blood matched to the Judge’s car stain.

The court hearing was escalated to trial. Hank represented his father. They had several arguments in between since Hank is hungry of his father’s approval since childhood. When he learned that his father is suffering from cancer stage 4 and had been on a chemotherapy for six months he found a hope. He was determined to save his father out from the crime. He displayed all his wits applying his practice as defendant of guilty rich people in the city. He carried the burden of taking care of his crippled family with a jobless big brother and a mentally challenged younger brother. As the trial went on, Hank had the opportunity to take care of his sick father when he’s attacked by the side effects of chemo.

At the end, the Judge admitted the murder. For him, sitting on the highest bench of the court judging the criminals for their punishment doesn’t make him an exception. He has to balance the scale even to his self. It was the right thing to do but it broke Hank. He returned to the city but later submitted a petition for compassion after seven months. His father died in front of him weeks after the release. They were on a boat trying to fish.

It’s a movie for someone who has interest in debate, law or political science. Also for someone who is family oriented. This one manifested how men perceive things. Being a woman, it is difficult to put my shoe on them. I had my brain worked out while listening to their conversations. But it was really worth it. The lessons you can get is more than just from bumper stickers. See for yourself! ;)

Original article: http://www.bubblews.com/news/9209098-movie-review-the-judge