I love this movie so much

Very Cool!!!

Just perfect...

Good movie but grossly overrated

Great acting; hits "close to home" family dynamics; nice twists; perfect ending. I actually watched this whole movie instead of leaving to go read.

Having grown up hating his father, an arrogant lawyer gradually finds it in his heart to defend his father, a respected judge, when he is accused of murder in this courtroom drama starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. The film made Oscar history when Duvall became the oldest Supporting Actor nominee for his role here, and he is every bit as good as that as he battles aggressive cancer and chemotherapy side effects while standing accused. Duvall has a particularly strong scene in which Downey helps him in the shower and the two of them bond over pretending (for the sake of Downey's daughter) that everything is fine with the old man. His stance that he would "rather die in prison that be remembered as that" resonates too. And yet, while there is much to like in how Downey and Duvall gradually patch up their differences, there is little escaping the fact that they are pretty obnoxious characters on their own (Downey intentionally urinates on another man's leg in the opening scene), which in turn makes the experience a little hard to sit through when it turns sappy and sentimental towards the end. The film is also bloated with a couple of subplots that could be trimmed (the old flame in particular), and yet, 'The Judge' is surprisingly riveting despite its massive length. Duvall is really that compelling and any music score by Thomas Newman always helps.

Downey Jr. and Duvall give outstanding performances in a movie that's criminally below par.Having said that, I would still revisit this every day just for the aforementioned's delightful chemistry and powerful repartee which is so on point, it truly made me feel their pain and inner turmoil even during inane scenes and over simplistic dialogue.Two stars for each Star -- and an extra for the exquisite Mr D'Onofrio whose robust presence and underused talent so desperately demand more screen time.Have a go, the performances will not disappoint you.

This is one of the films that is enjoyable fare to watch but ultimately a bit shallow and unsatisfying. The plot was entirely predictable throughout and little to nothing was thrown in to challenge that. In order to overcome those failings, a really strong script and performances were needed and this didn't quite get there. The dialogue was OK but nothing special, I thought Robert Duvall was excellent and I also thought Vincent D'Onofrio did well with what he had, more screen time for him would have improved the film. Robert Downey Jr was, well, Robert Downey Jr. Much like Tom Cruise in a role like this, it seems too easy, too predictable, and all a bit contrived. I've seen this character just too many times, and Downey doesn't have the depth to bring anything more to it.A couple of attempts to broaden the plot were left hanging, such as his dalliance with the waitress that could have been his daughter. After the 'reveal' we didn't see her again, it seems she was thrown in to tick another box for the films demographics. We learned little to nothing about the disabled younger brother and after an initial magical moment when Robert Downey Jr's daughter met Robert Duvall, there was no more. Once again we see token female characters thrown in, seemingly to satisfy the need to have female characters in a film. The film didn't need it, either real roles were required or for them to be left out. The main female role of Vera Farmiga was also underdone, seeming the story of her career, a fabulous actress not given the chance to really work.Despite the schmaltz, or because of it, as a parent I found moments in the film genuinely moving, and don't feel I wasted my time watching it. I just can't see me wanting to watch it again.