The Trial (2010) Reviews

• Surprisingly good!

  daumas2012-07-11

  Surprisingly good movie with Mat Modine. Some people said it's a religious movie but it's not as much others I've seen lately. Except for some dialogs between Mac and the psychiatrist, there's no more of that. The plot is kind of predictable but much better than several of the current courtroom dramas we see in the theaters or TV. The movie has very good acting with some exceptions but those don't compromise the movie itself. Very touching, with some twists and some suspense in the end. I would recommend for my friends.

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• 'Thank God I Was Spared'

  bkoganbing2011-01-14

  If one sees The Trial on DVD or on a television broadcast, hasten to assure yourselves you will not be seeing the Orson Welles film The Trial or a remake thereof. If you see it stars Matthew Modine than make sure you catch it. The film opens with Modine who has been unable to come to grips with the death of his wife and children ready to blow the top of his head off with a revolver. As he's ready to do the deed, a phone call comes. It's from Judge Rance Howard who wants to get Modine back in the among the living and in the practice of his profession. He appoints him the defense attorney of young Randy Wayne who is accused of the murder of his sweetheart, the daughter of a prominent family in the area. He plied her with 'roofies' to loosen her inhibitions and he's taken them himself. When he came down he finds himself with her dead body and no memory of the crime at all. He gets all his courtroom skills back, it's like riding a bicycle, once learned it all comes back. But this is a tough case and he needs the assistance of psychologist Claire Carey, research assistant Nikki Deloach and most of all Robert Forster his late wife's brother for some heavy muscle and a bit of detective work. The answer is quite a bit more involved than a case of 'roofies' gone bad. Modine who also produced this gives a carefully delineated performance of a lawyer being brought back to life in his profession and every day living. In the end he has reason to thank the Deity for being spared in the tragedy that overtook his family. The Trial has the look and feel of a television pilot and I'm sure Matthew Modine is trying to sell it to one of the networks. I do hope he succeeds.

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• This review contains spoilers.You have read the warning twice and believe me there is nothing I can say that can spoil the movie anymore.

  chomastr2013-07-27

  I'm giving a review just to enlighten myself of the torture of having watched it. Contrary to the name and use of courthouse terms, the movie has nothing to do with a trial. I am not convinced if there even was a case in the first place. No context whatsoever. There is no weapon,no motive, no fingerprints nothing. There is/was no evidence for the conviction/non-conviction of the accused and yet the jury comes up with a verdict. There are a lot of unanswered questions in the movie and vice versa. Please do something else that would be productive with your time.

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• Movie about a murder Trial in a small Georgia town

  layers-848-5307792010-09-18

  Matthew Modine (Mac) is very believable as a retired Attorney who because of personal circumstances has reached the end of his rope and sees no options. The murder of a wealthy man's daughter becomes an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life. He is forced by the local Judge to represent the boyfriend accused of the murder. The evidence appears to be damning. During his preparation for trial on the Defendants behalf his old legal team help him to see life in a different perspective. The question is whether the Trial will result in further depression over his circumstance or will it be a catalyst for hope? Along the way there are some unexpected turns. Bob Gunton is the State Prosecutor who is aggressively going after the death penalty for Mac's client. Robert Forster is excellent as Mac's investigator and Nikki DeLoatch plays a spunky paralegal with a fun side. Danny Vinson is hilarious as a witness to crucial evidence in the Trial. This was a entertaining film with a message of hope for those who are grief stricken in life.

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• Good Southern Film

  jojoscatt72010-11-07

  I am always looking for good films to watch with my family. Last night, we sat down with our kids (13 and 15) and watched THE TRIAL. It was refreshing to see a movie that had a simple message and for once not have that message rammed down our throats. My grandmother died recently and some of the elements from the film really helped. I loved the cast. Matthew Modine has always been a favorite and this seemed like one of the few recent films he's done that really challenged him. Now... as a Southerner it was nice to see no real stereotypes and yet everything seemed natural. I think it helped that they let actors like Robert Forster just be himself instead of putting on a fake accent. All in all, we liked it and recommend it.

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