Class Action

source: Class Action

Trailer—Class Action

Class Action

The idea, great. the actors, terrific. The plot, solid. the outcome, OK at best. Class Action has its moments, but spends way too much time developing the father-daughter relationship. Just as you get into the dirty dealings of the law firm, the director and editors give us more forced relationship. This is worth a look, but only if on TV.

An American legal drama; A story about a liberal activist lawyer Jedediah who alienated his daughter years ago. Now a conservative corporate lawyer, she agrees to go up against her father in court in a trial that turns increasingly personal and nasty. Although the screenplay is quite dense in law lingo, it feels authentic, and involves a lawsuit with a powerful ethical slant. The subtext is about forgiveness and change, and that the rule of law must win the day. It's not a nail-biter but it is surprisingly effective, with two lead actors giving good performances.

Some deep soul searching will aid in facing your personal demons. But you still have a job to do. This movie is entertaining, but predictable. The excellent acting redeems the whole thing. Father(Gene Hackman) and daughter(Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) lawyers become adversaries in a lawsuit against an auto manufacturer that has knowingly produced cars that explode when rammed from behind. Both stars exhibit their skills to the hilt. Laurence Fishburne and Joanna Merlin provide notable support. This father and daughter relationship provides some heated moments and animated reactions. Their banter gets a little tiresome, but it is needed to make the movie work. You be the judge and jury.

You won't see a better film depiction of greedy corporations that value profits more than people. It is also an honest representation of soulless corporate defense attorneys who prostitute themselves for their corporate client. They will do anything it takes, legal or illegal, in order to win the case and keep their client happy as well as keep their millions in yearly legal fees rolling in. Of course, it is a dramatic movie, not a documentary, and not everything is realistic. It is difficult to believe that a small boutique law firm such as Gene Hackman's has the resources to quixotically battle the defense firm representing the defendant auto manufacturer. Also, Hackman being opposed by his daughter strains credulity. It may have worked in a comedy when Tracy & Hepburn were husband and wife on opposing sides (Adam's Rib) but here it is a bit of a distraction. But it may have been necessary to humanize the film rather than only focus on the banality of evil of large corporations.

Jed Ward (Gene Hackman) is a hard-nosed lawyer taking down corporations. He gets a class action lawsuit against an automaker after some cars explode. On the opposite side is his estranged daughter Maggie Ward (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). She is ambitious eager to push for partnership in her firm. They don't get along since she discovered his cheating. She also claims that he abandons his clients after winning his cases. He had maintained his marriage. His wife Estelle tries to bridge the gap between father and daughter but she dies suddenly. Nick Holbrook (Larry Fishburne) is Jed's longtime assistant. These are two top class actors. Director Michael Apted asks them for family dysfunction and they deliver. The movie lays out the situation but it doesn't have much movement after the mother's death. The court case is basic and has limited drama. The personal drama also doesn't make much movement. This is a movie with a world of potential but does little more than expected.

As a solicitor I normally like lawyer movies, but as a new father I loved this movie. Most lawyer movies just have hypothetical issues which just raise my interest or remind me of my past. This one awakened my imagination to the future. My daughter is less than 12 months old and Hackman's character hit the exact note of feeling and pleasure, I feel when holding my daughter in my arms and watching her grow. I can say that the scene at the end moved me to tears as I think about holding my daughter in my arms. Hackman is by far on of the greatest actors I have ever seen. The others I can say did a fantastic job as well. You hate the villains and love the heroes.

Sometimes I'm left with the impression that viewers think all films should be award winning material, as though the goal and worth of a film can be judged by the amount of award nominations it generates and brings home. I disagree, a good film should entertain, and that is what this film does very well. Nice on location sets give the film an authentic and attractive feel. The acting is top notch. The two main overlapping stories, the father & daughter relationship and the legal battle, tie in very nicely. This is a solid film that draws the viewer in and keeps his/her attention until final scene. There are many ways to waste two hours, this film is not one of them.