The Judge (2014 film)

The Judge

Theatrical release poster
Directed by David Dobkin
Produced by
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Nick Schenk
  • David Dobkin
Starring
Music by Thomas Newman
Cinematography Janusz Kamiński
Edited by Mark Livolsi
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • September 4, 2014 (2014-09-04) (TIFF)
  • October 10, 2014 (2014-10-10) (United States)
Running time
 141 minutes[2]
Country United States
Language English
Budget $50 million[3]
Box office $84.4 million[3]

The Judge is a 2014 American drama film directed by David Dobkin.[4] The film stars Robert Downey Jr, Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard, and Billy Bob Thornton.[4] The film was released in the United States on October 10, 2014. It received mixed reviews; critics praised the performances of Duvall and Downey as well Thomas Newman's score, but criticized the formulaic nature of its script and the lack of development for its supporting characters.

Duvall received multiple award nominations for his performance as Judge Joseph Palmer, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor. Thomas Newman also received a Satellite Award nomination for Best Original Score.

Plot

Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) is a successful defense attorney in Chicago who has been estranged from his family in a small town in Indiana for some time. While in court, he receives a call telling him his mother has died. As he leaves to fly to his hometown of Carlinville, it is revealed that Hank is going through a divorce and custody battle for his young daughter.

In Carlinville, Hank reunites with his older brother Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio), owner of a tire shop, and his younger brother Dale (Jeremy Strong), an autistic aspiring filmmaker who carries an old 8mm film camera everywhere he goes. Hank then stops by the small county courthouse, softly enters a courtroom, and sits in the back where he observes a case in progress. The judge is Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), Hank's father. When Joseph sees Hank for the first time in many years, at the funeral, he is treating guests with kindness but acknowledges his son coldly.

The next morning, Hank notices damage to his father's Cadillac Coupe DeVille as he is preparing to leave. Upon seeing the damage, Joseph denies knowing how it happened; but Hank believes his father was drinking and driving and damaged his own car. After a heated exchange, Hank leaves, promising never to return. But after boarding his plane, Hank learns that Joseph is being questioned by police with regard to a fatal hit and run. The victim is identified as Mark Blackwell (Mark Kiely), a recently released convicted murderer whose crimes, before the killing, Joseph had treated with leniency.

After Blackwell's blood is found on the car, Joseph is soon indicted, with prosecutor Dwight Dickham (Billy Bob Thornton) seeking a conviction for first-degree murder. Hank agrees to defend Joseph and learns that his father was undergoing chemotherapy. This explains Joseph's inability to remember the accident and provides a potential diminished capacity defense, but Joseph rejects any such defense because of the potential damage it would do to his legacy. During the trial Hank and Joseph confront their bitterness with each other, dating back to a teenage drunk driving accident in which Hank was driving and Glen was injured – ending the latter's potential for a career in professional baseball. Joseph saw to it that Hank was sent to a youth detention center, and Hank left Carlinville after never receiving acknowledgement from Joseph for turning his life around.

Hank also reconnects with his old girlfriend Sam (Vera Farmiga), whom he abandoned after going to a Metallica concert more than 20 years ago. He discovers that Sam has a daughter, Carla (Leighton Meester), born nine months after he left, and deals with his concern that he is Carla's father.

At trial, Hank believes he has established enough reasonable doubt in the case to result in an acquittal. But Joseph sabotages the case by testifying that although he still cannot remember the accident, he has come to believe that he probably did kill Blackwell intentionally. Joseph confesses on the stand that he was personally haunted by Blackwell's case, having seen Hank in Blackwell, and wanting to help him like he would his son. Having misread Blackwell, Joseph afterward saw him in Hank.

Joseph is acquitted of murder but convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison, though he is released on compassionate parole after seven months, his cancer being terminal. He and Hank go fishing. After acknowledging Hank as the best lawyer he knows, Joseph dies peacefully in the boat. Hank, having made peace with his father, returns to the courtroom Joseph once reigned over, and spins the judges chair, where it ominously stops, pointed at him.

Cast

Production

Development

The script was originally written by Nick Schenk. In March 2011, the script was to be rewritten by David Seidler.[5] In April 2013, Bill Dubuque was enlisted to rewrite it.[6] The casting of Robert Duvall, Vincent D'Onofrio,[7] Vera Farmiga,[8] and Dax Shepard was reported in March 2013.[9] The studios had expressed an interest in Jack Nicholson playing Joseph, but Nicholson turned down the role and it was given to Duvall.[10][11][12] Meester joined the cast in April 2013.[13]

Filming

Principal photography started on May 31, 2013 in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.[14] Shooting also took place in Attleboro, Belmont, Dedham, Sunderland, and Waltham, Massachusetts. Scenes also were filmed in Pennsylvania and Worcester, Massachusetts.[15][16] The film is set in the fictional town of Carlinville, Indiana.[17]

Music

On February 27, 2014, Thomas Newman was hired to compose the music for the film.[18] WaterTower Music released a soundtrack album on October 7, 2014.[19] The film's closing titles features Willie Nelson's version of the Coldplay song "The Scientist".

Release

The film was shown at the opening night of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 4, 2014.[20] It was premiered in Los Angeles on October 1, 2014 at the Beverly Hills' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[21] The film was released on October 10, 2014 in the United States.[22]

Box office

The Judge grossed $47.1 million in North America and $37.3 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $84.4 million, against a budget of $50 million.[3]

In North America, the film grossed $13.1 million in its opening weekend from 3,003 theaters (a per theater average of $4,368), finishing 5th at the box office. The biggest markets in other territories were Russia, Italy and Mexico, where the film grossed $4.4 million, $2.99 million and $2.84 million, respectively.[23]

Critical response

The Judge received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes, the review aggregator website, gave the film a rating of 47%, based on 184 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The site's consensus reads, "Solidly cast and beautifully filmed but thoroughly clichéd, The Judge seems destined to preside over a large jurisdiction of the basic cable afternoon-viewing circuit."[24] Metacritic gave the film a score of 48 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[25] On CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an average grade of "A-" on an A+ to F scale.[26]

Film critic Richard Roeper gave the film a "C" rating, saying that it was "surprising how little we care about these characters."[27]

Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent wrote: "For all its contrivances and occasional lapses into On Golden Pond-style mawkishness, this is a richly crafted yarn that boasts barnstorming, if very showy performances from Duvall and Downey Jr."[28] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave a mixed to positive review, writing: "There are plenty of emotional fireworks in this big, soupy but entertaining picture, which is obvious Oscar bait."[29] Entertainment Weekly critic Chris Nashawaty gave the film a "B" rating, and stated: "I don't expect The Judge to usher in a new era of legal thrillers, but I'm happy to see Downey leave the Marvel universe and Baker Street behind."[30]

Accolades

List of awards and nominations
Year Award / Film Festival Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result
2014 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Score – Feature Film Thomas Newman Nominated
Mill Valley Film Festival Best U.S. Feature Film The Judge (David Dobkin) 2nd Place
Heartland Film Festival Truly Moving Picture Won
18th Hollywood Film Awards Supporting Actor of the Year Robert Duvall Won
2015
87th Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
72nd Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
21st Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
20th Critics' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
19th Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
Best Original Score Thomas Newman Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Village Roadshow Pictures cosies up to Sony". if.com.au. May 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ "THE JUDGE (15)". Warner Bros. British Board of Film Classification. August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Judge (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "The Judge". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  5. ↑ "WB taps David Seidler for 'The Judge'". Variety. March 23, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  6. ↑ Fleming, Mike (April 4, 2012). "Warner Bros 'The Judge' Collars Scribe Bill Dubuque To Script Robert Downey Jr-Starrer". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Vincent D'Onofrio Joins Warner Bros' 'The Judge'". Deadline.com. March 14, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kroll, Justin (March 20, 2013). "Vera Farmiga Sets Sights on 'The Judge'". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  9. ↑ Yamato, Jen (March 20, 2013). "Dax Shepard Joins WB's 'The Judge'". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  10. ↑ Kit, Borys (November 13, 2012). "Jack Nicholson Courted to Play Robert Downey Jr.'s Father". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  11. ↑ Kit, Borys (March 13, 2013). "Robert Duvall Joins Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Judge'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ Kroll, Justin (March 15, 2013). "Billy Bob Thornton to Prosecute Robert Duvall in 'The Judge' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  13. ↑ Kit, Borys (April 3, 2013). "'Gossip Girl' Star Leighton Meester Joins Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Judge'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  14. ↑ Broncaccio, Diane (May 30, 2013). "Shooting for Robert Downey Jr. film 'The Judge' starts Friday in Shelburne Falls". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  15. ↑ Christine (June 6, 2013). "Updated filming locations for 'The Judge', starring Robert Downey Jr., in Shelburne Falls, MA". On Location Vacations. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Robert Downey Jr. and crew from 'The Judge' make stop at Smiarowski Farm Stand in Sunderland". Masslive.com. June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  17. ↑ Contrada, Fred (June 6, 2011). "Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vincent D'Onofrio in Shelburne Falls as village is transformed into movie set for 'The Judge'". Massive.com. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Thomas Newman to Score 'The Judge' and James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". Film Music Reporter. February 27, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  19. ↑ "'The Judge' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. September 26, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  20. ↑ Pond, Steve (July 25, 2014). "Robert Downey Jr. Drama 'The Judge' to Open Toronto Film Festival". TheWrap. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  21. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 2, 2014). "Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall Celebrate at 'The Judge' L.A. Premiere". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  22. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (July 31, 2013). "Robert Downey Jr.'s 'The Judge' Gets a Fall 2014 Release". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  23. ↑ "The Judge – International Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  24. ↑ "The Judge (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  25. ↑ "The Judge Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  26. ↑ Bowles, Scott (October 13, 2014). "Monday Box Office: 'Gone Girl' Cements Week 2 Crown, Next Faces Pitt's 'Fury'". Deadline.com.
  27. ↑ Roeper, Richard. "The Judge (2014)". Richard Roeper & The Movies. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  28. ↑ Macnab, Geoffrey (October 16, 2014). "The Judge, film review: Hot-shot actors Duvall and Downey Jr make a compelling case". The Independent.
  29. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (October 16, 2014). "The Judge review – part family drama, part courtroom gripper". The Guardian.
  30. ↑ Nashawaty, Chris (October 16, 2014). "Movies - The Judge". Entertainment Weekly.

External links

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