The Judge (2014)

“Are you asking if you can represent me?”

What’s it about?

RDJ is a big fish in a big pond who has to go back to the small pond because that pond is trying to convict his father for first degree murder.

Who’s in it?

Tony Stark, Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Daredevil’s Wilson Fisk and Billy Bob Thornton.

Why should I watch it?

+ The movie mainly focuses on RDJ and Duvall and they sure gave exceptional performances
+ It’s brilliant to watch the sparring contest between the two leads, from hurtful words to touching scenes
+ Both are hilarious when they’re taking the piss out of people as well #Lawyered
+ Still managed to see shades of Tony Stark when RDJ was on screen delivering witty responses and jokes, it’s pretty much like watching the lawyer version of Tony Stark
+ A LOT of drama going on, there’s plenty of resentment, bitterness, anger and other words with similar meaning
+ Between father and son, between brothers and between lovers
+ This family stares at the saying “Time heals all wounds” and says fuck that
+ Leaving you invested in uncovering what exactly happened in the past and what ruined their relationship
+ Great courtroom drama too, the mystery of whether judge is guilty or not and also trying to find the balance between beating a trial and honouring the law
+ Little girl’s relationship with grandad/dad is so adorable, characters like that are the reason I want children (because life decisions should always be based on fictional characters)
+ Genuinely teared up a bit on the “highlight reel with the mother” and the “he reminded me of you” scenes #RealMenCry
+ So yeah, expect some powerful and emotional scenes

Why shouldn’t I watch it?

– The exact relationship of the characters had me confused for a while
– Not as confused as Jay-Z’s face when he first heard Lemonade but more like where did I leave my keys confused
– Had no problems with Vera Farmiga playing RDJ’s childhood sweetheart but didn’t like how the movie ended their sub-plot
– The movie could have been fine (or maybe even better) without adding it
– It’s like they just wanted to add an incest joke but they didn’t really know where it will go, so it’s not incest but it is a bit really?
– Made the movie longer too because of it too
– Dax Shepherd being Dax Shepherd in a Dax Shepherd role

Anything else?

I know most people (critics mostly) were meh on this film but I really liked it. Imagine Making a Murderer added with a great father and son drama. Okay, the romantic element is a bit like finding olives in your meal (I hate olives) but just scrape it to the side of your plate and it still makes an enjoyable meal. Just use those scenes for toilet breaks or reloading your bowl of popcorn. Definitely give it a gander, you be the judge.

There you go guys! Schedule told me no reviews but, like a Stanford student, I don’t take no for an answer (Seriously though, fuck that guy).

 

7/10

You might also like:
This is Where I Leave You
August: Osage County
Chef

20 thoughts on “The Judge (2014)

  1. I really enjoyed this when I saw it. it unfortunate got blasted by the critics even though it was done extremely well IMHO! Great review Diego and nice to see u sticking to ur schedule 🙂

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  2. PHEW. The copywriting job didn’t consume you and spit out your bones (yet). I haven’t seen this movie or heard much about it but it sounds interesting. And hey – incest makes for great plots! You heard it here first.

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  3. I KNEW I wasn’t the only one who actually liked this movie!!! And I agree… #RealMenCry…Bon Iver’s “Holocene” played in the “highlights reel with mother” scene. It’s literally impossible to pair that song with a sombre montage and not have a bunch of bawling bros.

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  4. I was game to see this until I saw August Osage County as a related. Are RDJ and Duvall as dysfunctional and exhausting as Meryl and Julia’s family? Because I just don’t think I handle it lol

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    1. Aha I was actually just thinking of any films with dysfunctional families and landed on AOC. I really recommend it! Trust me like Princess Jasmine trusted Aladdin.

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      1. Ha well it DID work out for Jasmine! Lol The cast alone looks great though so I’ll get around to seeing it eventually. I saw a pretty good movie with Duvall a couple wks back called “It’s A Family Thing” where he plays biological bro to James Earl Jones. Came out in early 90s scripted by Billy Bob surprisingly.

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      2. She saw the world. Shining… Shimmering… Splendid. Whoa, never heard of that before. Will check it out when I’m comfortable enough to venture past 2000s.

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