THE VERDICT distributed by 20TH CENTURY FOX (1982). It was directed by Sidney Lumet and starred Paul Newman. The production budget climbed to $16 million and grossed $54 million at the box office. It was a critical and commercial success.
Paul Newman was an enduring movie star from the 1950's. As he aged. He chose roles that gave him a chance to shine as a leading character actor. It paid off greatly. We just don't have movie stars like him anymore. That era is long gone.
"The Verdict" is based on a novel by Barry Reed (1980). It surrounds an aging alcoholic attorney named Frank Galvin (Newman). He is given a medical malpractice case. A woman was operated on with the wrong diagnosis. She becomes a "vegetable" hooked up to machines to keep her alive. The Catholic church which funds the hospital. They offer Frank $210,000 to settle the case. He makes a brave decision to take on that case when everyone tells him not to. Including the family of the victim.
As the story unfolds. Everyone around Frank is against him. In the courtroom as well as out of it. He stops drinking alcohol and fights for redemption and it is thrilling to watch.
This is one of my favorite courtroom dramas. "The Verdict" was nominated for 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Newman), Best Supporting Actor and Adapted Screenplay. It would later become a huge rental on VHS Home Video.
Check it out on Blu-Ray. You will no be disappointed.
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