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The Judge (2014 film)

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The Judge
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDavid Dobkin
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Nick Schenk
  • David Dobkin
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJanusz Kamiński
Edited byMark Livolsi
Music byThomas Newman
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • September 4, 2014 (2014-09-04) (TIFF)
  • October 10, 2014 (2014-10-10) (United States)
Running time
141 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$45–50 million
Box office$84.4 million

The Judge is a 2014 American legal drama film directed by David Dobkin.[2] The film stars Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall with Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard and Billy Bob Thornton in supporting roles.[2] The film was released in the United States on October 10, 2014. It received mixed reviews; critics praised the performances of Duvall and Downey and Thomas Newman's score. However, they criticized the formulaic nature of its script and the lack of development for supporting characters.

Duvall received multiple award nominations for his performance as Judge Joseph Palmer, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor. Thomas Newman received a Satellite Award nomination for Best Original Score.

Plot

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Hank Palmer is a trial lawyer in Chicago, notorious for defending powerful clients he knows to be guilty. Before returning to his rural hometown of Carlinville, Indiana to attend his mother's funeral, he argues with his wife, Lisa, whom he is divorcing for infidelity.

In Carlinville, Hank reunites with his older brother, Glen, a tire shop owner, and his younger brother, Dale. Hank's father is Judge Joseph Palmer of Carlinville's criminal court, whom he calls "Judge". The two have been estranged due to the Judge's harsh treatment of Hank in his youth. When Hank was young, he got into a car accident and his brother Glen was injured, losing a chance for a baseball career. Because of this, the Judge sent Hank to juvenile detention.

After his return, Hank watches his father presiding over a case. During the proceedings, the Judge cannot recall his long-time bailiff's name. The morning after the funeral, Hank notices that the Judge's Cadillac is damaged and accuses his father, a recovered alcoholic, of driving intoxicated. The Judge reacts defensively, having no memory of an accident. After arguing with his father, Hank vows never to return to Carlinville and leaves for the airport. Just before his flight is to take off, Glen calls to say that their father is a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run incident. The victim, Mark Blackwell, was a recently released ex-convict whom Judge had sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend; Blackwell had killed her by drowning after the Judge had given him a light sentence of 30 days for shooting up the girl's house.

The Judge is indicted after police forensics confirm that Blackwell's blood is on his car. Given his personal history with the victim, he is charged with first-degree murder. Rejecting Hank's legal help, the Judge hires hapless local defense attorney C.P. Kennedy. When C.P. proves ineffective at the preliminary hearing, Hank takes over as lead counsel. While preparing for trial, Hank learns that his father is secretly undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer, which has affected his mental acuity for months. Hank wants to use this information to get his father acquitted, but fearing it will compromise his past adjudications and stain his legacy, the Judge refuses, frustrating Hank. Hank's strained family relationship is further complicated by his former girlfriend, Sam Powell, who owns the local diner. He comes to believe that he may be the father of Sam's daughter Carla, a law student. During this time, Hank's own daughter Lauren arrives for a visit, meeting her grandfather for the first time and bonding with him.

At the trial, the Judge insists on testifying. During cross-examination he scuttles his defense by saying that he cannot remember the incident but believes he may have intentionally killed Blackwell, shocking the court. Taking over on redirect, Hank pushes the Judge until he admits to his terminal cancer treatment; the Judge further reveals that Blackwell had insulted his late wife on the fateful night, and that he gave Blackwell a light sentence for his first offense because Blackwell's circumstances had reminded the Judge of Hank. Hank closes by demonstrating that, as before, the Judge cannot remember his own bailiff's name. While awaiting the jury's verdict, Sam tells Hank that his brother Glen is Carla's father but does not know; Sam slept with him after Hank left town twenty years ago. Hank is angered by the revelation, but the two reaffirm their love for each other and embrace. When the court reconvenes, the Judge is convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in the Indiana State Prison.

Seven months later, Hank returns as his father has been granted a compassionate release, requested by the prosecutor, to allow him to die at home. Fishing on a lake, Hank and the Judge appear to have buried their mutual animosity. After praising Hank as a lawyer, the Judge peacefully dies on the boat. The courthouse flag flies at half-staff to honor him. Hank visits the courthouse and spins his father's chair; it stops, facing him.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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The script was originally written by Nick Schenk. In March 2011, the script was to be rewritten by David Seidler.[3] In April 2013, Bill Dubuque was enlisted to rewrite it.[4] The casting of Robert Duvall, Vincent D'Onofrio,[5] Vera Farmiga,[6] and Dax Shepard was reported in March 2013.[7] The studios had expressed an interest in Jack Nicholson playing Joseph, but Nicholson turned down the role and it was given to Duvall.[8][9][10] Meester joined the cast in April 2013.[11]

Filming

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Principal photography started on May 31, 2013, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.[12] Shooting also took place in Attleboro, Belmont, Dedham, Milton, Sunderland, and Waltham, Massachusetts. Scenes were also filmed in Worcester, Massachusetts, including Worcester Regional Airport, as well as locations in Pennsylvania.[13][14] The film is set in the fictional town of Carlinville, Indiana.[15]

Music

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On February 27, 2014, Thomas Newman was hired to compose the music for the film.[16] WaterTower Music released a soundtrack album on October 7, 2014.[17] The film's closing titles feature Willie Nelson's version of the Coldplay song "The Scientist", and Bon Iver's song "Holocene" is also featured prominently in the film.

Release

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The film was shown at the opening night of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 4, 2014.[18] It was premiered in Los Angeles on October 1, 2014, at the Beverly Hills' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[19] The film was released on October 10, 2014, in the United States. and was released on DVD and Blu-ray on January 27, 2015.[20]

Box office

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The Judge grossed $13.1 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, where it went on to earn $47.1 million, adding $37.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $84.4 million, against a budget of $45–$50 million.[21][22]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 49% of 202 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Solidly cast and beautifully filmed but thoroughly clichéd, The Judge seems destined to preside over a large jurisdiction of the basic cable afternoon-viewing circuit."[23] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 48 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[24]

Film critic Richard Roeper gave the film a "C" rating, saying that it was "surprising how little we care about these characters."[25]

Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent wrote, "For all its contrivances and occasional lapses into On Golden Pond-style mawkishness, this is a richly crafted yarn that boasts barnstorming, if very showy performances from Duvall and Downey Jr."[26] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave a mixed to positive review, writing, "There are plenty of emotional fireworks in this big, soupy but entertaining picture, which is obvious Oscar bait."[27] Entertainment Weekly critic Chris Nashawaty gave the film a "B" rating, and stated, "I don't expect The Judge to usher in a new era of legal thrillers, but I'm happy to see Downey leave the Marvel universe and Baker Street behind."[28]

Accolades

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List of awards and nominations
Year Award / Film Festival Category Recipient(s) Result
2014 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Original Score – Feature Film Thomas Newman Nominated
Mill Valley Film Festival Best U.S. Feature Film The Judge (David Dobkin) 2nd Place
Heartland Film Festival Truly Moving Picture Won
18th Hollywood Film Awards Supporting Actor of the Year Robert Duvall Won
2015
87th Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
72nd Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
21st Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
20th Critics' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
19th Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
Best Original Score Thomas Newman Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "THE JUDGE (15)". Warner Bros. British Board of Film Classification. August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "The Judge". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  3. ^ "WB taps David Seidler for 'The Judge'". Variety. March 23, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike (April 4, 2012). "Warner Bros 'The Judge' Collars Scribe Bill Dubuque To Script Robert Downey Jr-Starrer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  5. ^ "Vincent D'Onofrio Joins Warner Bros' 'The Judge'". Deadline Hollywood. March 14, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 20, 2013). "Vera Farmiga Sets Sights on 'The Judge'". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  7. ^ Yamato, Jen (March 20, 2013). "Dax Shepard Joins WB's 'The Judge'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  8. ^ Kit, Borys (November 13, 2012). "Jack Nicholson Courted to Play Robert Downey Jr.'s Father". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  9. ^ Kit, Borys (March 13, 2013). "Robert Duvall Joins Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Judge'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 15, 2013). "Billy Bob Thornton to Prosecute Robert Duvall in 'The Judge' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  11. ^ Kit, Borys (April 3, 2013). "'Gossip Girl' Star Leighton Meester Joins Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Judge'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  12. ^ Broncaccio, Diane (May 30, 2013). "Shooting for Robert Downey Jr. film 'The Judge' starts Friday in Shelburne Falls". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  13. ^ Christine (June 6, 2013). "Updated filming locations for 'The Judge', starring Robert Downey Jr., in Shelburne Falls, MA". On Location Vacations. Retrieved June 14, 2013.[dead link]
  14. ^ "Robert Downey Jr. and crew from 'The Judge' make stop at Smiarowski Farm Stand in Sunderland". Masslive.com. June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  15. ^ Contrada, Fred (June 6, 2011). "Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vincent D'Onofrio in Shelburne Falls as village is transformed into movie set for 'The Judge'". Massive.com. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  16. ^ "Thomas Newman to Score 'The Judge' and James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". Film Music Reporter. February 27, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  17. ^ "'The Judge' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. September 26, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  18. ^ Pond, Steve (July 25, 2014). "Robert Downey Jr. Drama 'The Judge' to Open Toronto Film Festival". TheWrap. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  19. ^ McNary, Dave (October 2, 2014). "Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall Celebrate at 'The Judge' L.A. Premiere". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  20. ^ McClintock, Pamela (July 31, 2013). "Robert Downey Jr.'s 'The Judge' Gets a Fall 2014 Release". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  21. ^ "The Judge". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 15, 2023.Edit this at Wikidata
  22. ^ FilmL.A. (May 28, 2015). "2014 Feature Film Study" (PDF). FilmL.A. Feature Film Study: 20. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  23. ^ "The Judge". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 15, 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  24. ^ "The Judge". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  25. ^ Roeper, Richard. "The Judge (2014)". Richard Roeper & The Movies. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  26. ^ Macnab, Geoffrey (October 16, 2014). "The Judge, film review: Hot-shot actors Duvall and Downey Jr make a compelling case". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022.
  27. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (October 16, 2014). "The Judge review – part family drama, part courtroom gripper". The Guardian.
  28. ^ Nashawaty, Chris (October 16, 2014). "Movies – The Judge". Entertainment Weekly.
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