Reversal of Fortune
Reversal of Fortune

Movie spotlight

Reversal of Fortune

1990
Movie
111 min
English

Wealthy Sunny von Bülow lies brain-dead, husband Claus guilty of attempted murder; but he says he's innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users80%
Director: Barbet SchroederGenres: Biography, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the bizarre and controversial case of wealthy socialite Sunny von Bülow, who was found in a coma and later declared brain-dead. Her husband, Claus von Bülow, is accused of attempting to murder her by overdosing her with drugs. The story unfolds through flashbacks as Claus's defense attorney attempts to prove his client's innocence, revealing a tangled web of deceit, greed, and suspicion.

Critical Reception

Reversal of Fortune was critically acclaimed, particularly for its performances and its intriguing, often darkly humorous portrayal of a sensationalized legal case. Jeremy Irons's portrayal of Claus von Bülow earned widespread praise and numerous awards, while Glenn Close delivered a memorable performance as Sunny. The film sparked considerable debate about the nature of guilt, the legal system, and the media's role in such high-profile trials.

What Reviewers Say

  • Acclaimed for its provocative and darkly witty examination of a sensational trial.

  • Jeremy Irons delivers a career-defining performance as the accused Claus von Bülow.

  • Praised for its complex narrative structure and engaging, albeit disturbing, subject matter.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a compelling and thought-provoking drama, with many highlighting Jeremy Irons's masterful performance. Some viewers expressed unease with the subject matter, while others appreciated its nuanced exploration of a controversial true story.

Awards & Accolades

Jeremy Irons won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Glenn Close was nominated for Best Actress. Barbet Schroeder was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.

Fun Fact

Jeremy Irons gained 15 pounds for his role as Claus von Bülow and also learned to play the piano for a scene in the film.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Quite why Jeremy Irons won an Oscar for this performance is anyone's guess. Though it is certainly one of his better efforts, he still comes across as remarkably wooden and un-engaging. His character - Klaus von Bulow - has just been convic...

JPV852

JPV852

Great performance from Jeremy Irons, well deserving of his Best Actor Academy Award, kind of is a letdown as both a legal and character drama. Some nice moments and solid performances from everyone but not sure I'll remember this one down t...

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