Grade:  B

Director:  Steven Zaillian		Released:  December 1998
Writer:  Steven Zaillian, from Jonathan Harr's book		MPAA Rating:  PG-13
Players:  John Travolta, Robert Duvall, William H. Macy, Tony Shalhoub		Running time:  112 minutes

Ratings System

A Civil Action boasts a tremendous ensemble cast, I can see why so many good actors would be attracted to this script.  It's cohesive and touches on important societal issues in a realistic manner (and it's based on a true story as well).

One of my favorite scenes shows Travolta speeding down the road in his Porsche, then getting ticketed by a cop.  Minutes later, he is speeding down the same road in the opposite direction and gets ticketed a second time.  It's the kind of thing that is indicative of a person who "goes for it" all the time, no matter what the cost, and doesn't necessarily learn from his mistakes.  It's a small example of one of the larger themes of the film, Travolta's character is one who goes for it no matter the costs because his emotions get the better of him.  On the opposite side of the courtroom is Duvall's corporate layer who is interested in winning and manipulating through the maze that is the law.  In doing the minimum it takes to be smart and cover his company's ass.  In relying on his experience and knowledge of the law to get him through, not emotion.  The contrast between the two characters is put to great use.

- crocoPuffs