You know a courtroom scene has you by the legs when for a few moments you think, “I wish I were a lawyer.” You think, “There's so much injustice, and someone needs to stand up against these idiots.” And you know that when the end of a good courtroom movie comes around, you'll still be thinking about the case for hours or even days after.
What makes a good courtroom movie? Is it the complexity of the case? Is it the rhetoric of the lawyers? Can any courtroom scene be made better by clever humor, or is it sometimes all about the build-up to a fiery eruption of arguments and even physical violence? It's probably time we take a look at a range of fantastic courtroom movies to determine the answers to these questions. It's important that in order to locate the true identifier of a good courtroom movie, we consider the entire spectrum of films, ranging from comedies to thrillers.
1. "My Cousin Vinny"
Let's start here, right in the middle of comedy and suspense. This gem of a film follows Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci), a lawyer from New York who’s never won a case, as he tries to build a defense for his cousin (Ralph Maccio) and his cousin’s friend who are convicted of murder and armed robbery in Alabama. This movie hits hard on regional disparities and uses those differences to weave a courtroom case. This movie is hilarious to say the least, and it'll have you second-guessing a few prejudices you might not have even acknowledged before. This earns a high place on my list of the best courtroom movies because of its timeless ability to subliminally convince viewers of a need for social and judicial change. It’s all wrapped up in an exciting defense case with witty, heartfelt dialogue.
2. "Runaway Jury"
While this movie cracks a joke here and there, do not be mistaken by its upbeat mood. Everything in this movie has a purpose, and especially right now in the current political climate, this movie has a place for enacting social change. It follows Nicholas Easter (John Cusack), a man placed on jury duty for a case between a widow whose husband died in a workplace shooting and the gun company that allowed for the gun to get to the shooter. Easter and his friend Marlee work together to manipulate the case in favor of the widow, assisted by attorney Wendall Rohr (Dustin Hoffman). The opposition, however, spares no expense in hiring a juror selection group to rig the trial in favor of the gun company. This movie wins a spot on the list for its many twists, its intense moments, and the wholesomeness of Dustin Hoffman’s character that starkly juxtaposes the conniving Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman).
3. "To Kill A Mockingbird"
This movie adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel by the same name has stood the test of time with its ability to convince audiences of existent, inherent racism. This coming-of-age film brings more of the adult matter to the forefront of the narrative than its novel counterpart does, and the effect is chilling. While unlike the other movies on account of the fact that only a portion of the movie focuses on the courtroom case, it still holds the same values of a courtroom movie, and it does it well. It's just as effective as any other courtroom movie in its call for a change in public perspective on both issues and successes of American life.
4. "Legally Blonde"
It's a guilty pleasure of mine. It's the “Mean Girls” of courtroom movies. Still, I won't apologize for enjoying this gender role-challenging comedy, and I'm not afraid to admit that I now know what ammonium thioglycolate is used for. The movie is strictly a comedy, and there's not a great deal of suspense, but it still holds up as a courtroom movie. It shows that there's a place in law for anyone willing to work hard and actively try to defend the innocent through the conviction of the guilty. I say it lacks nothing in the way of a solid courtroom appeal.
If it's not the genre, the case complexity, the humor, the violence or the rhetoric, what is it that makes a good courtroom movie? If we narrow down the common denominator that makes each of these films so great, we are left with one answer: These films are great because of their abilities to change perspectives on social issues. From gender roles to racial prejudice and from rape charges to gun laws, the social issues highlighted in these films are what make them so powerful and enjoyable to watch. After all, what's a movie worth if it doesn't relate to what we experience in real life?
