The Verdict (1982)
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, (more)
- Director(s):
- Sidney Lumet
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama
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In Sidney Lumet's powerful courtroom drama The Verdict, Paul Newman stars as Frank Galvin, an alcoholic Boston lawyer who tries to redeem his personal and professional reputation by winning a difficult medical malpractice case. Frank, down on his luck, is presented with the case of his life when he is approached by the family of a woman who has been left in a coma following an operation in a large Catholic hospital. Helped by his assistant Mickey (Jack Warden), he agrees to take the case, hoping for a fast settlement. When he visits the victim in the hospital, he becomes emotionally involved, turns down a sizable settlement offer made by the hospital, and decides to bring the case to trial despite the formidable opposition of the Church and its lawyer, Newman (James Mason). He is also assisted by his new girlfriend, Laura (Charlotte Rampling), a woman who turns out to have an unusual past. Oscar-nominated for "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Lumet) as well as for "Best Adapted Screenplay" (David Mamet from a novel by Barry Reed), The Verdict is an outstanding, if not very legally accurate, courtroom drama; Frank's decision to try the case without telling the family of the victim of the settlement offer would probably lead to his real-life disbarment. Paul Newman and James Mason give fine, Oscar-nominated performances, and Charlotte Rampling is quite good as the deceitful Laura, who never seems to turn down a drink. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 129 mins
Complete Cast:
- Paul Newman - Frank Galvin
- Jack Warden - Mickey Morrissey
- Milo O'Shea - Judge Hoyle
- Julie Bovasso - Maureen Rooney
- Roxanne Hart - Sally Doneghy
- Kent Broadhurst - Joseph Alito
- H. Clay Dear - Courthouse Lawyer
- Marvin Beck - Sheraton Bar Patron
- Maggie Task - Irish Nurse
- John Blood - Funeral Director
- Juanita Fleming - Dr. Gruber's Maid
- Joe Seneca - Dr. Thompson
- Ralph Douglas - Clerk
- Burtt Harris - Jimmy the Bartender
- Charlotte Rampling - Laura Fischer
- James Mason - Ed Concannon
- Edward Binns - Bishop Brophy
- Lindsay Crouse - Kaitlin Costello Price
- Wesley Addy - Dr. Towler
- Colin Stinton - Billy
- James Handy - Dick Doneghy
- Herb Peterson - Sheridan Patrons
- Bruce Willis - Courtroom observer (uncredited)
- Leib Lensky - Wheelchair Patient
- Evelyn Moore - Dr. Gruber's Nurse
- Lewis J. Stadlen - Dr. Gruber
- Tony La Fortezza - Sheraton Bartender
- Edward Mason - Widow's Son
- Director(s):
- Sidney Lumet
- Writer(s):
- David Mamet
- Producer(s):
- Burtt Harris, Richard D. Zanuck, David Brown
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Adult Language, Adult Situations, Profanity, Mild Violence, Not For Children)
- Categories:
- Drama
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1982 - The Verdict - National Board of Review - Best Director
