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| Courtesy of Warner Bros. |
Robert
Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall are two of the finest actors we have, intense
performers who rarely seem like they’re coasting. And I can understand why they
were initially attracted to a project like The Judge.
Nick
Schenk and Bill Dubuque’s screenplay made Hollywood’s esteemed Black List,
which highlights the most promising unproduced films. It’s a throwback to ’90s-era
legal thrillers, a genre that seems poised for a big resurgence. There’s also some
intense family conflict, which means lots of monologues and dramatic moments.
But
the finished product is such an absolute mess that I can’t imagine anyone
involved is happy with it. The narrative tries to be a dozen different movies
at the same time – as evidenced by the glacially paced 140-minute running time
– but succeeds at none of them. One of the biggest misfires I can remember, the
film is bursting with promise that it fails to live up to.
Downey
plays high-profile attorney Hank Palmer, who returns to his hometown for his
mother’s funeral. While he’s there, his estranged father (Duvall), the town
judge, is arrested for murder and Palmer is forced to defend a man he’s hated
for most of his life. Along the way, lessons are learned and secrets are
revealed. You know, the usual.
I
don’t think anyone will question Downey or Duvall’s commitment to The Judge. At no point in the film does it seem like they’re just showing up to collect a paycheck,
especially in scenes when their characters are working through decades of
conflict and loathing. Supporting work from Billy Bob Thornton, Vera Farmiga
and Vincent D’Onofrio is also strong. I just wish they had more interesting
stuff to do.
As
good as these performances are, the movie leaves other talented actors like Dax
Shepard, Leighton Meester and David Krumholtz absolutely stranded. The family
drama is predictable. The trial at the center of the story is forgotten about
for large chunks of the running time. Perhaps worst of all, there’s a bizarre
incest subplot that comes out of nowhere and is quickly dismissed with no
thought to the implications it raises.
The
film looks beautiful thanks to Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography, which
contributes a lush, sweeping atmosphere to the proceedings. However, the epic
feel of his previous works, such as Schindler’s List or Saving Private Ryan, seems too good for a lightweight movie like this.
Much
of the blame should land at the feet of David Dobkin, who has never directed a
drama like this and it shows. (However, he did previously helm Wedding
Crashers and The Change-Up.) He thinks he’s gingerly conveying subtle
metaphors when he’s actually shoving obvious themes down viewers’ throats.
That’s
why he uses a sweeping, overhead shot of Duvall and Downey’s characters climbing
out of their SUV and angrily stomping off in different directions while the
maudlin score swells. Get it? Their characters are at odds with one another.
The
Judge is easily one of 2014’s most disappointing movies, squandering tons of
potential in the most pedestrian way imaginable.
The Judge is rated R for language including some sexual references.
Grade:
C-
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