Seen before: Yes
The late Sidney Lumet's '12 Angry Men', adapted from the play by Reginald Rose, is another film widely regarded as one of the best ever. It is one of the first imdb 'Top 250' films (that I used to use as a guideline as what to watch next) that I managed to get hold of and watch.
---Plot Summary---
An 18 year-old boy has been charged with the murder of his own father. After hearing the evidence against the boy, and his lacklustre defence, the twelve jurors retire to the jury room in order to carry out their verdict. In what seems on face value a simple open and closed case, one of the jurors refuses to accuse the boy of being guilty, as he believes there is reasonable doubt. He then attempts to convince the other jurors that his misgivings are indeed credible.
---Review---
I have seen this film on many previous occasions, and it never ceases to draw me in. Henry Fonda plays Juror 8, the one man in the room who cannot send a young man to his death purely on circumstantial evidence. He is a man alone. Everyone else believes the boy to be guilty, and at first, it does seem as though Fonda's character's views are just wishful thinking. But what Lumet crafts from this unlikely opening is a masterclass in persuasive argument, using facts that previously appeared concrete, and dissecting them to perfection.
The film is largely set within one room (the jury room), but this takes nothing away from the suspense and complexity of the drama. In what appears a simple setting, the viewer is completely absorbed into the situation that these twelve men find themselves in. You find yourself rooting for Juror 8 and his eventual allies as the film progresses, because you feel that you are on that jury too. We gradually find out various information about the other jurors (one is a racist, one is underprivileged, one just wants to get to his ball game) that invariably reveal reasons why they decide to vote guilty initially, and then eventually sympathise and agree with Juror 8.
The script and dialogue is absolutely wonderful, and wonderfully performed by an ensemble cast (including Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall and Jack Warden). Each of the twelve jurors has an important part to play in the film, i.e. none of them are there just to make the numbers up. Fonda gives an assured performance as Juror 8, in what is the most important and central role, and manages to convince that that he is indeed right to have so many questions and doubts about the trial. And Lee J. Cobb is terrific as Juror 3, the one man who seems to have a personal vendetta against the accused. He provides a realistic portrayal of a man who feels he has been betrayed by his own son so feels like he must take it out on this young boy instead.
On a shoestring budget, Lumet has expertly managed to craft a superior film that both enthralls and astounds the viewer (how, how, can a man 11 to 1 turn everyone to his favour?!). With a simple, almost unnecessary soundtrack, that provides welcome interludes between heated discussions, this film captivates and remains with you long after it has finished. A masterpiece.
---Rating---
9/10
Tomorrow: 127 Hours (Danny Boyle, 2010)
The late Sidney Lumet's '12 Angry Men', adapted from the play by Reginald Rose, is another film widely regarded as one of the best ever. It is one of the first imdb 'Top 250' films (that I used to use as a guideline as what to watch next) that I managed to get hold of and watch.
---Plot Summary---
An 18 year-old boy has been charged with the murder of his own father. After hearing the evidence against the boy, and his lacklustre defence, the twelve jurors retire to the jury room in order to carry out their verdict. In what seems on face value a simple open and closed case, one of the jurors refuses to accuse the boy of being guilty, as he believes there is reasonable doubt. He then attempts to convince the other jurors that his misgivings are indeed credible.
---Review---
I have seen this film on many previous occasions, and it never ceases to draw me in. Henry Fonda plays Juror 8, the one man in the room who cannot send a young man to his death purely on circumstantial evidence. He is a man alone. Everyone else believes the boy to be guilty, and at first, it does seem as though Fonda's character's views are just wishful thinking. But what Lumet crafts from this unlikely opening is a masterclass in persuasive argument, using facts that previously appeared concrete, and dissecting them to perfection.
The film is largely set within one room (the jury room), but this takes nothing away from the suspense and complexity of the drama. In what appears a simple setting, the viewer is completely absorbed into the situation that these twelve men find themselves in. You find yourself rooting for Juror 8 and his eventual allies as the film progresses, because you feel that you are on that jury too. We gradually find out various information about the other jurors (one is a racist, one is underprivileged, one just wants to get to his ball game) that invariably reveal reasons why they decide to vote guilty initially, and then eventually sympathise and agree with Juror 8.
The script and dialogue is absolutely wonderful, and wonderfully performed by an ensemble cast (including Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall and Jack Warden). Each of the twelve jurors has an important part to play in the film, i.e. none of them are there just to make the numbers up. Fonda gives an assured performance as Juror 8, in what is the most important and central role, and manages to convince that that he is indeed right to have so many questions and doubts about the trial. And Lee J. Cobb is terrific as Juror 3, the one man who seems to have a personal vendetta against the accused. He provides a realistic portrayal of a man who feels he has been betrayed by his own son so feels like he must take it out on this young boy instead.
On a shoestring budget, Lumet has expertly managed to craft a superior film that both enthralls and astounds the viewer (how, how, can a man 11 to 1 turn everyone to his favour?!). With a simple, almost unnecessary soundtrack, that provides welcome interludes between heated discussions, this film captivates and remains with you long after it has finished. A masterpiece.
---Rating---
9/10
Tomorrow: 127 Hours (Danny Boyle, 2010)
I have it as a 10/10, but I'm not going to quibble wiht your 9/10. It is my favorite movie of all time. Not just my favorite classic film, but my no. 1 film period.
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