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A civil action
Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities
Movie propaganda
Justice has its price.
In this legal thriller based on a true story, John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious personal injury attorney whose fierce determination entangles him in a case which appears straightforward but instead evolves into a labyrinthine lawsuit of vast dimensions.
Also starring Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub and John Lithgow. Based on the best-selling book by Jonathan Harr. Screenplay and direction by Steven Aaillian (Academy award-winner for Schindler's list).
Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Theatrical report
Hmmm...I'm having difficulty with this one. On the one hand it's based on a true story, on the other it's a Hollywood courtroom drama. It's a warning against the effects of too much power being concentrated in the hands of one man, but it's a celebration of power. It lionises the individual, the leader, at the same time as it destroys him.
If that makes any sense to you.
As a drama, A civil action is certainly dramatic. All the while that Jan's firm pursues the case, it digs itself deeper and deeper into a pit from which there's no escape: they don't have the money to fight the multi-million dollar corporations, they don't have the expertise to fight the other lawyers and they don't have the experience to fight such a big case. The descent into despair is powerfully presented.
Everyone acts well, the production values are spot on, the atmosphere is dark, stark and chilling. That a Hollywood film has been made with an unpleasant ending (the hero fails) is a wonderful twist (for a Hollywood film). Of course, the baddies do get their just desserts in the end, but this is the USA, and while heroes may lose, baddies may never win.
While there are no car chases there are a few laughs to relieve the otherwise unremitting sense of doom that pervades A civil action from the first court appearance. This is a tense and hard edged drama that's definitely worth paying to watch.
Media intelligence (DVD)
- Trailer: Theatrical
- Production featurette
Security censorship classification
M
Surveillance time
115 minutes (1:55 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
DVD rental: 8 June 2001
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