The Judge
Robert Downey Jr.
When you hear that name, what do you think?
That’s right, Iron Man. And if you aren’t into that sort of superhero rubbish (there are people out there who don’t. I know. What’s wrong with them?), then he’s Sherlock Holmes. Man, the guy has really crafted some iconic characters. But he is so much more than a tin-suit or a deerstalker, he can craft powerfully astute performances with an air of witty and charm showcased in films such as Charlie Bartlett, Tropic Thunder, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Recently, his enormous talent was placed in the driving seat of The Judge. A film that feels like a Lifetime movie wrapped up in Oscar bait and pumped full of clichés.
Delicious.
Directed by David Dobkin, The Judge revolves around highflying Chicago Lawyer Hank Palmer who is going through a divorce and has been estranged from his family for a very long time. When his mother passes away, he heads back to the small town he grew up in and his father, Joseph. The pair haven’t spoken for a while after Hank ran rampant as a teenager and his father, being a Judge, sentenced him to juvenile detention centre. However, one night out, Joseph runs over a man from his past but cannot remember doing so. With many thinking it is straight up murder, Hank is brought in to defend his father. But with both men as hot-headed as one another, can they get over their differences to win this case?
Why is it Bad?
It is literally one step away from those movies you watch on Channel 5, emptying your nose into tissue, and eating your weight on garbage food to make yourself feel better. Ones that have titles like She Could Never Forgive Them, or The Pain of Remorse, or The Law of Love. It has a smattering of all those movies filled with broken families, and emotional arcs that you can sniff from a mile away. It’s sickening sentimental and with a lack of character development for all involved. I mean it, it may masquerade as a father and son learning to bond but those around them aren’t given any true voices bar the clichés that populate the background of films such as these.
And, I have to say it, there isn’t a really genuine reason why Hank deserted his family for so long. You don’t feel sorry for him. Why? Because he was a tearaway teen who needed a hard knock of reality that his father gave him and, as a result, ran away never looking back. It seems petulant. It’s not that Joseph preferred sportsman Glen over Hank when he was younger either. What consistently showed was that Joe was hard on Hank for the middle son being tearaway and while he never went to his graduation and stuff, it’s still a relationship that could’ve been pulled together if Hank spent time around his family.
It is a narrative that has been strung out in many, many different shows and movies so here, it feels tiresome.
Why is it Good?
Regardless of the poor writing they have to deal with, the likes of RDJ and Robert Duvall make this a marvellously acted film that powers the emotions along greatly. There’s also Vincent D’Onofrio, Vera Farmiga, Jeremy Strong, and Billy Bob Thornton who all help bring the characters to somewhat of a life. In fact, without them, it would literally be a film relegated back to those TV movies. RDJ has many scenes that completely emote Hank’s journey which brings the character down to earth somewhat in the sloppy background he’s been given. But this is Duvall’s film and the aged actor has prowess and the most believable arc to follow. Duvall captivates in a completely visceral way.
Other than that, it’s very naff and super long. In fact, it’s just over two hours for a storyline that can be wrapped up in half an hour. It’s great to see these giants of cinema battle it out but ultimately, the writing and plot lets them down.