Bilge Ebiri, a prominent film critic and writer-director, dives into the golden age of legal thrillers from the '80s and '90s. He shares insights on classics like 'The Verdict' and 'A Few Good Men,' discussing their structured narratives and emotional depth. The conversation ponders why this genre has faded from Hollywood, and whether it could still engage modern audiences. They also dissect character dynamics in films like 'Suspect' and 'The Pelican Brief,' highlighting the moral complexities found within these gripping stories.
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insights INSIGHT
Courtroom Drama's Pure Conflict
Courtroom dramas offer pure, mathematical conflict with clear goals and opposition.
Their strict rules and mysteries engage audiences like a strategic sports game or war narrative.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Verdict's Powerful Style
Paul Newman's role in The Verdict represented a broken, aging lawyer fighting a powerful hospital.
Sidney Lumet's stylistic restraint and visual choices, like color palette, deepen the film's tone.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Suspect's Unconventional Appeal
Suspect is a batshit but entertaining legal thriller with Cher as a weary public defender.
Dennis Quaid plays an unusual character helping solve the case alongside Cher, adding rom-com vibes.
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The Rainmaker is a play written by Steve Chimombo, published in 1978. It is one of his notable works, reflecting his contribution to Malawian literature. Chimombo's writing often incorporated elements of mythology, oral culture, and political themes, making his works significant in the context of African literature.
The Pelican Brief
John Grisham
The story begins with the assassinations of two ideologically divergent Supreme Court justices. Darby Shaw, a Tulane University law student, writes a legal brief speculating that the murders were orchestrated by Victor Mattiece, an oil tycoon seeking to drill on Louisiana marshland home to an endangered species of pelican. As Darby delves deeper, she goes on the run and teams up with Gray Grantham, a reporter from The Washington Post, to uncover the truth and evade the killers. The novel involves a complex web of conspiracy, political corruption, and legal intrigue, culminating in a thrilling expose reminiscent of the Watergate scandal[2][4][5].
A Few Good Men
Donald A. Gazzaniga
In 'A Few Good Men', Donald A. Gazzaniga recounts the intense experiences of a Marine colonel during the Vietnam War. The book blends the harsh realities of combat with the protagonist's reflective memories of the war's early stages, offering a personal and gritty perspective on military life and the psychological impact of war.
A film critic for publications such as L.A. Weekly, New York Magazine/Vulture, The New York Times, and formerly The Village Voice, Bilge Ebiri is one of my favorite journalists working today. Additionally, he is a writer-director known for the movies New Guy, Purse Snatcher, and The Barber of Siberia.
Joining me for a chatty, fast-paced, feature-length exploration of 6 legal thrillers made during the golden age of the genre in the '80s and '90s, we discuss The Verdict, Suspect, Class Action, A Few Good Men, The Pelican Brief, and The Rainmaker. And in taking a closer look at these films, we question why Hollywood stopped making them, whether or not audiences would enjoy the genre today, and the writers, directors, and stars that brought these works to life.
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