IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic67/100
Google Users85%
Director: Steven Zaillian•Genres: Drama, Courtroom Drama, Legal Drama
A tenacious personal injury lawyer takes on a massive chemical corporation accused of polluting a town's water supply, leading to the deaths of several children. As he navigates the complex legal system and faces immense pressure from both sides, he forms an unlikely alliance with a wealthy, established defense attorney. The film explores themes of justice, corporate greed, and the human cost of environmental negligence.
A Civil Action was generally well-received by critics, who praised its compelling storytelling, strong performances, and realistic portrayal of the legal process. While some found the pacing a bit deliberate, most agreed it was a thought-provoking and engaging legal drama that humanized a complex environmental issue.
Praised for its intelligent script and compelling courtroom scenes.
John Travolta's performance as the underdog lawyer was a significant highlight.
Some critics noted the film's earnestness and realistic, albeit slow-burning, approach.
Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's powerful story and its exploration of a significant real-world issue. Many found it a well-acted and thought-provoking drama that effectively conveyed the struggles of ordinary people against powerful corporations.
The film is based on the true story of the Woburn, Massachusetts toxic-waste case, which was detailed in Jonathan Harr's 1995 non-fiction book of the same name.
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