| Ed McNulty is a trusted friend in congregations nationwide, after more than 30 years of publishing film reviews, study guides and books that explore the inspiring connections between faith and popular culture. The judge is Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), Hank's father. Hank and his brothers go out to a bar and Hank starts making out with a teen bartender.. That's kinda fucked up. Yes, the movie was fairly run of the mill, but still an enjoyable piece which blends multiple genres without bogging itself down in one for too long. But too often Dale ends up being more of a device than a fully fleshed-out character as he shows new and old home movies shot on an vintage Super 8MM camera as a way of filling in the back story that haunts the Palmer clan. Hank is divorcing and when his mother dies, his brother Glen calls him for the funeral and he leaves his daughter with his wife. There was some unnecessary sub-plot points there to add to the film that didn't really need to be there. The main synopsis of the critics on RT state that it covers a lot of cliches, and there is definitely some of that in the film.

They tried to make him seem as if he was the main villain but he ended up just being a side character with a few lines but it was clear that that's what they were trying to make him out to be but it failed. This is also just a small pet peeve I have about courtroom movies: I understand this was a 'person' story, not a 'justice system' story--but I expected a little more realism when it came to the handling of the legal case in a movie called The Judge. This contradicts the story the Judge had told the police. Hank can hardly wait for the funeral to be over so he can get out of town.

The whole love interest sub-plot was unneeded and pointless. The strong performances and solid cinematography are nice though! The very southern part of Indiana can get hilly (at least from what I've seen), but otherwise, it's super flat. When he arrives for the funeral, Hank and the Judge are distant and formal with each other. Driving my dad home after, not as top. Synopsis I know that this had the makings of a typical father-son reconciliation flick, but there are enough unique twists to it that you honestly feel like you watched a brand new film. They (at least to my knowledge, but I don't know Indiana law) would not have a sentencing literally ten seconds after the verdict. The thing I took away from the film the most was not so much the reconciliation between father and son, but the seeking of approval from the father. He is haunted by too many unpleasant memories. While you might argue that it was overdone, the character development comes mainly from this aspect of the movie.

Hank then stops by the small county courthouse, softly enters a courtroom, and sits in the back where he observes a case in progress. The love-subplot. I agree with others that time was seriously wasted on that entire subplot. A series of Dale’s vintage movie clips, in which their beautiful mother is central, trigger memories in Hank of happier times. I rather enjoyed the film, everyone did an excellent job in their acting, save a few. For truth's sake, can those two work things out, and, maybe, reconcile? Edit: I checked the filming locations and apparently they filmed something in my home county.

35. Wish we could have learned more about their mother and their interaction with the 3 sons and also about Dale. It seems like after the funeral, the judge went out and it appears he ran over someone. I think its worth a Redbox, but to each their own. I felt similarly while watching FIELD OF DREAMS because my father died while there were still unspoken words and unresolved issues between us. Best supporting actor nod.

During the trial Hank reconnects not only with his two brothers, but also with his high school sweetheart Samantha (Vera Farmiga), who owns a local restaurant.

I don't have the most sophisticated tastes in movies, but if I feel that way about a movie--I count it as a good one. Despite the brittle bond between Hank and the Judge, Hank must come to his father's aid and defend him in court. Billy Bob!!! When His brother calls with the news that their mother has died, Hank returns to his childhood home to attend the funeral. I was hoping for a bigger resolution of the courtroom portion, but, in a way, I liked the ambiguity. There is a surveillance video of the Judge and the victim in a convenience store and a later one of the man walking out and down the road while the Judge drives his car in the opposite direction—then a few minutes later the video shows the car passing by in the direction of the victim.

Having his daughter visit for the weekend and give Joe and chance to soften up was touching and also showed a softer side to Joe that Hank had not seen (possibly ever). Overall it was an entertaining film, though I do have two qualms about it. Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) is one of the best defense attorneys in Chicago. His 7-year-old daughter Emma (Emma Tremblay) wants to go with him to see the grandfather she has never met, but her father refuses. Alright, so now to the awful things about the film. We also learn the basic reason Hank has been so upset with his father for so many years, as well as a secret the Judge has been keeping from everyone.

Also, whole I agree Gone Girl was a good movie, it felt extremely long to me.

But my point is still this: we had a fascinating personal story (the Palmer Family) evolving with each stage of the film, along with a bit of a professional story. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, News & Discussion about Major Motion Pictures, Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Really loved the movie and found myself tearing up on more than a few occasions. A little after this, the Judge says something to Hank that bridges the chasm between them. Close. His spiritual journey from arrogant jerk to caring son is an inspiring one. Eventually, of course, Hank does become the chief counselor. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.