IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes29%
Director: displaystyle•Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery
A defense attorney takes on the case of a wealthy and charismatic client accused of a brutal murder. As the lawyer delves deeper into the case, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of manipulation and deceit, questioning his client's innocence and his own moral compass. The lines between right and wrong blur as the attorney races to uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim.
Criminal Law received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While the performances of Gary Oldman and Kevin Bacon were often praised, the film's convoluted plot and predictable twists were frequently cited as major weaknesses. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the thriller elements and others finding the narrative unsatisfying.
Praiseworthy performances from the lead actors are unfortunately let down by a predictable and convoluted plot.
The film attempts to be a smart thriller but ultimately falters due to its weak script and uninspired direction.
Despite its potential, 'Criminal Law' devolves into a generic cat-and-mouse game with a disappointing resolution.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'Criminal Law' was largely lukewarm, with many viewers expressing disappointment in the film's predictable narrative and lack of originality. Some acknowledged the strong performances but felt they couldn't salvage the weak story.
Gary Oldman and Kevin Bacon, who play lawyer and client, would later both appear in 'Mystic River' (2003), though they did not share any scenes in that film.
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