The Judge is undoubtedly a brilliant story acted
out with precision. Almost two and a half hours of content did not bore me to
death or seem redundant in any possible way, but kept me wanting more from the
script. Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr., playing father and son, were the
main conflict of the film and both of their performances were intense, precise,
and profuse. Robert Downey Jr, once again playing a cynical, frisky, intelligent,
and rich character, is more than skillful. The scene at the bar catches your
attention by flaunting his wit and the film goes on having you envy his humor
and intellect as a lawyer exploiting every other advantage. Timing is very
important for such a character but the dexterity of Robert Downey Jr. did not
let us down, not one millisecond too fast or too slow. “The most generous and
at the same time most selfish”, Vera Farmiga concluded the character from an
old lover’s point of view. The generosity was touching – his relationship with
everybody is so screwed up in every possible way, inducing your compassion on
the man despite his evil practices. Him pounding his cell phone out of inner
conflict, or his tone of voice when soothing his father down was all too real
and too touching.
The film’s choreography has achieved something
rather delicate. If you have watched enough films or has experience in
directing, editing or producing, you might have felt it as well. The movie is
predictable in some small details that makes you fell accomplished. You know
what the actor’s next move is going to be but like it like a drug rather than
hate it as predictability. David Dobkin knows what you want and flow the movie
down that stream. Like candy crush, every time you had a victory he throws you
another challenge to keep you engaged and playing. I will try to give you an
idea by mentioning all of what I caught.
Hank, leaving the divorce drama, yells “water the
fucking hydrangea”. I knew it is his mother’s favorite flower.
After Hank locks eyes with Judge and shakes hands
with him, I knew someone is going to cut in line while he is trying to utter a
word or two to Judge.
I almost hit the jackpot when I guessed that Karla
is Sam and Hanks’s daughter.
When the “confirmation of eye contact” happened in
the hearing, I knew Hank is about to flare up.
When Hank asked about Judge playing chess with Dr.
Morris, I knew he had cancer.
When Hank goes out with his Metallica shirt, I
first thought he is going back to the crime scene. But I got several things
right after he falls over backwards – Sam finds him, Karla’s in the car and the
film really got me here as I thought Karla is their daughter.
I knew he Hank is going to throw up when the camera
refuses to move and the shot seems extra-long.
Hank questions Sam about Karla in the bar and wow,
isn’t Vera Farmiga a great actress – I could tell that Karla is not their
daughter from her tone and look. But mostly the evasive speech told the truth.
Thank you who wrote the script.
WTH Karla is Glen’s?!
I saw those candy I was melted – “Where is my big
old honey old man”, yea I bet anyone would have saw that coming.
The camera moves away and flows an extended shot of
Hank sitting there babbling – I instantly knew that Judge passed. Yea that one
was easy too.
The last scene – I got it half correct. The
chair spinning, stops to face him. I thought he would have sat on it.
Later I thought – yea, fortunately he did not. Look
at the name of the film – The Judge.
All images retrieved from IMDb.com
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