Civility

A co-worker suggested I take a look at the 1998 legal drama A Civil Action. Based on a non-fiction book of the same title, it chronicles a low-moral "ambulance chaser" lawyer who takes on a case against two mammoth companies. He struggles to prove them responsible for toxic chemical dumps that resulted in the deaths of several children in a small town.

Script-wise, it's mostly mediocre stuff. It does have one interesting aspect to recommend it... spoilers on this, so if you ever intend to watch the film, skip on to the next paragraph. Essentially, the good guys "lose" in this movie -- a rather novel twist on this brand of film. Yes, they reach a settlement, but it's a weak one. The clients don't get what they want, the attorney who pursued the case is bankrupted, and all is far from well. In the real life story (as the film informs us just before the end credits roll), a larger settlement was obtained on a later appeal, but the film does not dramatize this.

In all other respects, the story is not particularly noteworthy. A clever line here and there, but a largely predictable David-and-Goliath story.

But what does lift the movie up out of average is an extensive and talented cast. John Travolta stars as the intentionally unlikable protagonist lawyer. One of his adversaries is a far more intelligent and likable character played by Robert Duvall -- a roll for which he received an Oscar nomination.

The supporting cast is full of recognizable names and faces. Kathleen Quinlan is one of the mothers who lost her child. The presiding judge in the case is John Lithgow. The rest of the prosecuting team is rounded out by Tony Shalhoub, William H. Macy, and Zeljko Ivanek. Turning up for a scene or two: James Gandolfini, Stephen Fry, Kathy Bates, and Sydney Pollack. With a precise delivery of a line, or a specific bit of business, each of these performers brings a little special something to the film.

Ultimately, there are better legal dramas out there. But A Civil Action is not bad overall. I give it a B-.