The Judge

This review may contain spoilers!

A truly great film about family, honor, integrity, the truth, and Robert Downey Jr being amazing. I would give The Judge an 8/10.

The Judge is incredibly well written, it hits the heartstrings hard and it keeps the story grounded in reality. This is really a dysfunctional family dynamic done right. I also have to credit the cinematography and editing in this film, it was truly beautiful the way colours and light really hit the lens of the camera. I also quite enjoyed the music within the film, I don't think I've heard a score so beautifully timed with the narrative.

Robert Downey Jr, who played Hank Palmer, was the perfect lead for this role, his acting was artful and he showed a connection to this role that went deep. Billy Bob Thornton, who played Dwight Dickham, was a great antagonist and an ice cold lawyer. Dax Shepard, who played C.P. Kennedy, did a great job filling a bumbling comedic role; his humour was quite refreshing to the narrative. Emma Tremblay, who played Lauren Palmer, continues to impress me as a reviewer with her acting talent; she really is a great child actress.

My personal favourite performance in this film was Robert Duvall, who played Joseph Palmer. Duvall was the centre of a lot of the tension within this film and also demonstrated an amazing performance of an elderly man undergoing chemotherapy. He stole the show and became the heart of the film in my mind.

I think that the film drew out a little long and also got bogged down by unnecessary side stories. It was this strung out feeling that made the film lose it's touch a bit.

Vera Farmiga, who played Samantha Powell, wasn't a greatly executed character nor did she really seem all that necessary of a love story. Vincent D'Onofrio, who played Glen Palmer, had very little screen time and really let others do his story driving for him. Jeremy Strong, who played Dale Palmer, didn't do a great job portraying someone with special needs and didn't add a lot to the film.