A Civil Action

  • 1999


MOVIE IS outlandish interesting remarkable tremendous fascinating
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53 %
61 % Fresh
$ 56 Million
See Where to Watch A Civil Action
Positive Reviews 37
Negative reviews 4
Average Rating 3.5/5
outlandish interesting remarkable tremendous fascinating

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
2.8
Having the gumption to win isnt everything, but in a courtroom drama it counts for a lot. EW
3.5
Having the gumption to win isnt everything, but in a courtroom drama it counts for a lot. EW
4.4
For the facts, read the book or study the case; the movie is more concerned with how the law works, and how perhaps the last thing you want is a lawye .. Rogerebert
1.5
Delivering the verdict two thirds into the movie is anti climactic, while Schlichtmanns belated atonement feels beside the point. Time Out
2.0
Harrs book takes its sweet time to illuminate all the elements of this engrossing story.
3.5
Here is a film not interested in the surprise twists of other courtroom movies, but focuses on the strategy of the law. E Film Critic
3.5
MORE COURT THAN SPARK If I were in the legal racket, I might think about suing the makers of A Civil Action. San Francisco Chronicle
3.8
In place of the tension, climax and easy resolution of the old Perry Mason show, A Civil Action offers murkiness, bitter successes and frustration. San Francisco Chronicle
3.0
Travoltas cold performance may have been the reason.Or maybe the lack of tension or real suspense. JoBlo
4.0
This David versus Goliath courtroom drama has just the right mixture of legal debate and emotional vibrancy. Spirituality And Practice
3.8
Nevertheless, combining a few good performances with an engaging and intelligent script, A Civil Action marks a rare worthwhile entry into a genre tha .. ReelViews
4.5
Stepmom is pure Hollywood formula designed to manipulate the viewer with laughs and tears on command.
4.0
This isnt really a courtroom drama, however, because most of the drama takes place outside the courtroom. Lariat
3.5
If A Civil Action lacks the lyrical beauty and metaphysical dimensions of that exceptional film, it still deserves to be set apart from the parade of .. Film Journal International ..
2.5
The results would surely be more interesting than the lackluster cinematic legal fare weve seen of late. Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
3.0
Adapted from Jonathan Harrs 1995 non fiction best seller, this is a deadly serious legal thriller its also a deadly bore. Internet Reviews
2.5
It runs out of gas when it runs out of things to tell us, since it lacks characters to engage us. Real law makes the appeal of John Grisham esque cour .. Internet Reviews
5.0
Worry not, Travolta fans, because he gives what is his second Oscar caliber performance of the year in this remarkable film. Internet Reviews
3.8
A very nuts and bolts look at a civil action against two major corporations as seen through the eyes of the lawyer who brought the action and risked h .. Internet Reviews
3.5
The movie simply does not have the spark to kindle much excitement, given the capacities of the film medium. Internet Reviews
3.0
The lawyers posturing, planning and maneuvering is fascinating, but with the human factor pushed so far into the background, the production turns into .. Internet Reviews
3.0
And now A Civil Action punishes them for finally doing what we always say we want lawyers to do: have a heart.
3.1
A lot of the beats are a bit too familiar from previous entries in the series, which isnt surprising given that this is the fifth film to play off the .. Q Network
3.5
If you have an older Salon account, please enter your username and password below: No problem! Salon
4.5
The A list cast is precisely that, a dream team that offers performances full of nuance, colour, definition and pathos.
3.0
While Travolta is passable as Schlichtmann, it is the outstanding work from Duvall, Macy and briefly Tony Shalhoub that drive the story. Flim Threet
4.0
A fine script from director Steven Zaillian gives all involved plenty to chew. Bbc
2.5
All comparisons to any other films aside, the measure of a thriller is its suspense and scariness factor, and, on its own terms, Van Sants Psycho is a .. Mr Brown Movies
1.9
Perhaps one of its major problems was that in its attempts to be a relatively uncommercial motion picture, Zaillian has misplaced its refreshing uncon .. The Movie Boy
2.5
As proficient a job as writer director Steve Zaillian and his team do, A Civil Action has unmistakably unraveled by its close. Calendar Live
3.0
Its kind of silly, but funny, too, and its certainly fun to watch. Cnn
3.1
Nevertheless, the movie takes too long to get where its going, and while the real life aspect of the story is interesting, the film itself is more bla .. Movie Habit
3.0
Though the plot plays largely by the numbers, Zaillian treats the material with a welcome level of maturity that manages to sustain interest even when .. Boxoffice Magazine
3.1
Courtroom dramas that favor the courtroom over the drama are always in danger of eye glazing dullness. Movies Tv Guide
4.0
But in Zaillians outlandish story line, Jan grows a little too much conscience for his own good.And a little too much to be believed. Film Quips Online
3.8
The film is so daring because it features a protagonist that we cannot and do not sympathize with. Film Blather
4.5
neatly avoids slipping into melodrama, and despite plenty of niggling minor faults along the way the movie finally succeeds. With a more comfortably c .. James Sanford on Film
3.5
This films good enough for the big screen, but save some dough and see an early show. Need Coffee
3.0
If youd like more than just a touch of humanity thrown in with your courtroom thrills, you may want to pass this one up and hope for something better .. Juicy Cerebellum
3.8
In comparison to the tremendous and intelligent acting of Duvall, Travolta seems lumbering, sluggish and ill suited to the role of a scrambling, hard .. Apollo Guide
3.8
It provides an always interesting, and sometimes fascinating, glimpse inside the workings of our courts. Cine Matter
4.4
More complex, subtle, perplexing and memorable than the usual courtroom theatrics.
4.4
A legal drama that doesnt follow the usual Hollywood John Grisham formula. Courier-Journal (Louisvill ..
1.5
The film begins to lean a little too heavily on melodrama, repeating select flashbacks...
4.4
A Civil Action works for a lot of reasons, the first being that it is a true story.The old cliche They couldnt make this stuff up is true. Angel Fire



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