THE JUDGE

I wasn't expecting a great movie but i certainly expected an entertaining one since it stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall. my expectations were dashed (though Duvall was pretty damn good).

Run of the mill story. Father (Duvall) is a judge and hates his son (why was never thoroughly explained). Son (Downey) is a big city attorney who hates his father. Mother dies. Son comes home for funeral and ends up representing his father who has been charged with murder for running over a man who he had once sentenced.

Nothing was new or unique or in fact, really believable.  The crumbling marriage of Downey (the opening scene) was so forced and surrealistic. The 7 year old daughter of Downey was so mis-cast because she was part Hawaiian or Asian and didn't match or even come close to the pure causasian-ness of Downey and his wife.

The music was a lot of caterwauling. Naturally, one of Downey's brothers was retarded but in a "charming" and "funny" way. The other brother had his baseball career crushed because of a car accident and it just so happened that Downey was driving the car.

There was a big screaming emotional cathartic psychodrama scene in the courtroom. The father was dying of cancer. There was a long lost high school flame who ran the local tavern. There was a plethora of home movies showing the "good ole days" when everyone got along.

Oh, i disliked immensely this movie. and Downey's rapid fire witty sarcastic patter was wearing thin by the end of the first hour. and at this point the film still had over another hour to run!!!!!!!!!!

I gave this movie a 5 (though now as i'm rethinking it, i am tempted to lower the number). Bill gave it a 7.