A Civil Action
A Civil Action

Movie spotlight

A Civil Action

1998
Movie
115 min
English

Jan Schlickmann is a cynical lawyer who goes out to 'get rid of' a case, only to find out it is potentially worth millions. The case becomes his obsession, to the extent that he is willing to give up everything—including his career and his clients' goals—in order to continue the case against all odds.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic67/100
Google Users85%
Director: Steven ZaillianGenres: Drama, Courtroom Drama, Legal Drama

Plot Summary

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.

Critical Reception

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.

What Reviewers Say

  • 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.

Fun Fact

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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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Based on a true story, John Travolta portrays an ambulance chasing lawyer whose company takes 40% of any settlement they get for their clients following accidents in the workplace, or during surgery, or on the road etc. It's when he becomes...

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