Casting Directors are rarely acknowledged for their job of assembling a stable of capable and available actors for the film director to ultimately choose from, which is a frequently under-appreciated task. There is an excellent documentary about this position that I highly recommend called CASTING BY (2012) for anyone who would like to know more about the role of the casting director. I bring this topic up because after seeing the Robert Downey Jr./Robert Duvall courtroom drama, THE JUDGE, I was perhaps most impressed with the achievement made of locking the pairing of these two big screen heavyweights in the lead roles, along with the superb supporting cast that includes the likes of Vincent DOnofrio, Vera Farminga, and Billy Bob Thornton. However, the lesser-known actors assembled by the CDs to round out the 135 acting roles in the film are all outstanding as well. So, kudos to casting directors, Kerry Barden (SE7EN, GOOD WILL HUNTING, and THE HELP) and Paul Schnee ( DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, PRISONERS, and also THE HELP) for a job well done. I only wish I could say that the other aspects of the film were crafted as well as the casting was. THE JUDGE is chock-full of great acting moments by all, but the A-list talent frequently seems ultimately wasted on material that is overly-written and far too predictable. Yet another prodigal son story, Downey Jr. plays a hotshot defense attorney that must come home to his Midwestern roots to attend the funeral of his dead mother, forcing him to reconnect with his estranged and elderly father, the local judge (Duvall), and his two hometown-bound brothers (DOnofrio and Jeremy Strong). The judge ends up becoming the key suspect in a murder case, and to no ones surprise, belligerent so feels obligated to defend his stubborn and sickly father. There is also an awkward subplot that is completely unnecessary involving RDJs soon-to-be-divorced character getting re-involved with his high school sweetheart (Farminga) who is still working in the small town coffee shop decades later. If this all sounds too familiar to the likes of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, or NEBRASKA, or any one of another 20 titles about estranged father/son relationships, you get where Im going with this. Adding to the problem of the formulaic and over-stuffed script is the lackluster direction of David Dobkin (yeah, Id never heard of him either) whos only memorable previous film credit was for WEDDING CRASHERS from nine years ago. All that being said, there is a lot of talent involved here in THE JUDGE. The cinematography is crafted by two-time Oscar-winner, Janusz Kaminski who took home the gold for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) and SCHINDLERS LIST (1993). Thomas Newman, the 12-time Oscar-nominated music scorer, who earned nods for THE SHAWSHANK REDEMOTION (1994), AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999), FINDING NEMO (2003), WALL·E (2008), SKYFALL (2012) and last years SAVING MR.BANKS (just to name HALF of his 12 nominations) is the composer for the film as well. As for the acting, you cant go wrong with Duvall on the screen. Ever! For my money, the 83 year-old cinema legend gives his best performance since his Oscar-winning role in TENDER MERCIES (1983). Duvall also brings out the very best in Downey Jr. as well, when the two go toe-to-toe in the film. Its when RDJ does not share the screen with Duvall that the role of the sharp-tongued, sardonic prodigal son seems too specifically written for him, and frequently makes one have to pause to remember if Tony Stark just became a defense attorney after retiring from being a multi-zillionaire business mogul/inventor/super hero. DOnofrio (gray-haired and frumpier than usual) is also outstanding as RDJs older brother stuck in the small town taking care of their newly-widowed father, and mentally-challenged you get brother (brilliantly played by Jeremy Strong). Oscar-winner, Billy Bob Thornton, is as cool as a cucumber as the prosecuting attorney, and Oscar and Emmy nominee, Vera Farminga is as good as ever, as the prodigal sons high school sweetheart. However, if a lesser star or an unknown actress had been given Farmingas role, I couldnt help but think that it wouldve been a brief walk-on, instead of such a sizable character that slows down the forward movement of the father/son meat of the story. Thus, the over-writing problem is most notable in Farmingas character. So, is THE JUDGE worth seeing? Answer - a qualified yes. However, there is no need to spend more than a couple of bucks on it for home viewing in just a few months. Despite the pedigree cast and (most) of the crew, there will no Oscar buzz about this one. Had it been better directed by someone like David Fincher (wow, now would THAT have been great!), and more tightly written, it wouldve certainly earned Duvall another Oscar nomination, and had shot at a Best Picture nomination perhaps. As it stands though, THE JUDGE is best suited for those that are interested in seeing a solidly assembled ensemble cast support two of our best living film actors, who collectively, almost overcome mediocre writing and pedestrian direction. Grade = B-.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 23:04:01 +0000
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