US (1979): Drama/Thriller
Al Pacino plays a Maryland lawyer who takes on a judicial system rife with dealmaking in this awkward blend of satire and sentimentality. Topical director Norman Jewison can't seem to help Pacino get comfortable with the mismatched material, which pushes the film into outrageousness at some turns and mawkishness at others. The script by Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin is more an accumulation of random ideas and moments than a congruent story. However, it's interesting to see the large cast of good actors (Jack Warden, John Forsythe, Lee Strasberg, Jeffrey Tambor, Sam Levine, Craig T. Nelson and Christine Lahti who was making her film debut here). Pacino gets to work for a second time (The Godfather: Part II, 1974) with acting mentor Strasberg. (Columbia) (Tom Keogh, Amazon.com)
2 nominations
· Actor 1979: Al Pacino
· Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1979: Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson