A redemption story concerning an alcholic, ambulance-chasing lawyer, played by Paul Newman, who, just when it looks as if he's mucked up his last chance, gets to the bottom of a medical malpractice case and produces a surprise witness whose testimony exposes the evil doctor. The witness's testimony is thrown out, but the jury heard it, and returns the verdict the audience wants. Wouldn't it be pretty if life were like that?
There are layers of implausibility. For example, a doctor who will testify for Newman's side goes missing on the eve of the trial. He had waxed eloquent on the incompetence of his colleagues before the defense paid him off. That he is venal apparently is supposed to obscure the hole in David Mamet's script. It's not till the end of the show, when Newman's witness gives dramatic testimony, that the truth comes out. The disappearing expert witness is supposed to be a crushing blow to Newman's chances but there really was nothing for him to testify about. The only person who could help Newman is the one he manages to turn out at the end. Excepting the worldliness of Archdiocesan officials--it's a Catholic hospital that bungled the surgery--nothing about the movie makes much sense. Sidney Lumet directs.
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