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CS Weekly Archive > DVD > 06/22/07
No Justice, No Peace
by dennis sampson
The Verdict (Collector's Edition)
David Mamet
 
 
David Mamet's Oscar-nominated screenplay for The Verdict is, like much of the writer's work, a marvel of character and dialogue. The story centers on Frank Galvin (Oscar-nominated Paul Newman, in arguably his finest performance) a broken-down alcoholic lawyer assigned to a malpractice suit against a hospital where a woman was the victim of a medical error. At first it seems as though the situation will be settled out of court, but Frank sees a personal connection to the case; taking on the hospital will perhaps lead him on a road to redemption. While the machinations of the legal plot are fundamentally standard courtroom drama fare, what makes the The Verdict shine is the study of Galvin as he wrestles with his own personal demons. Subsequently, there is a great resonance to the final courtroom scene—it becomes not just about the case, but about Frank: in a remarkable thematic twist, the lawyer winds up with the most to lose. Kudos to the studio and the filmmakers for releasing the film in a nifty, two-disc set. Points are lost, however, for the conspicuous absence of screenwriter Mamet from any of the extra features. Commentary with director Sidney Lumet and star Newman prove a few useful insights for acting and directing students (in all the film was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture and Director), but without hearing from the writer, the supplementals feel lacking.
The Verdict (Collector's Edition)
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Rated R; 129 min.
$19.98
Buy it now
Dennis Sampson is a commercial production coordinator and unproduced screenwriter. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his better half, Susan, and their dog Tripp.
The Verdict (Collector's Edition)courtesy Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
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