Review: Not much is more heartwarming than ‘The Judge’

Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall, “The Judge” may be one of the best dramas of the year.

The film follows Henry Palmer (Downey Jr.), a defense attorney in Chicago who returns home after the sudden death of his mother. Palmer is thrown into his own personal version of hell as he returns to the town where he was raised. Met by his brothers Glen (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Dale (Jeremy Strong), Henry has to survive a weekend with his father Joseph (Duvall).

The morning before Henry leaves for Chicago, he and his father get into an argument. After which Henry leaves him and storms off to catch his flight. While waiting for his flight, Henry receives a call from Glen about an accident his father was a part of and that they believe he may have killed a man. The man that the Joseph supposedly killed was a man he previously convicted. Besides taking on the case, Palmer has to try to figure out if he is the unspoken father of the daughter of his high school sweetheart while reconciling with his father over events from their past.

This film builds layer upon layer. Once you get an answer to one question you’re left with more and hoping for answers. While there is a very serious tone to the film, a few one-liners here and there help lighten the mood. Downey Jr. gives an amazing performance that has the audience feeling for him every step of the way. While it may come across as a mini soap opera to some, in many ways there is a much stronger emotional connection. Duvall and Downey’s on-screen presence sends the audience through an amazing journey of ups and downs, from Palmer hating his father to them becoming compassionate companions.

This film could very easily become one of the greats this year. It’s run-time is two and a half hours which sounds long, but your emotional investment into the film will make that time fly. It will have you shedding a few heartfelt tears and leaving the theater feeling humble about yourself and the life you live. Overall, I’d give it a solid “A” grade.

— Jay Wolin studies communications and started writing film reviews for the Utah Statesman this semester. He loves football, movies and comic books. Send questions or comments to jacob_wolin@yahoo.com.