|
|
Rating:  - Delayed justice, delayed clean-up
A team of attorneys takes on a case that leaves them bankrupt and their firm destroyed, and years later, the EPA is the one that wins the case and forces two polluting companies to clean up their collective act. Well acted by Travolta, Duvall, Quinlan, and many others. It takes longer than necessary to tell the story, but makes a strong point about corporate responsibility, liability, and personal struggles.
Rating:  - A Civil Action
Produced by Robert Redford and based on the best-selling book by Jonathan Harr, this gripping, literate enviro-action legal drama is the classic David and Goliath story--the little people versus big industry--told with gusto in a decidedly unpredictable fashion. "Action" features a stellar cast, notably John Lithgow as the trial judge, and Robert Duvall as Jerome Facher, the formidable opposing counsel. Also great is William H. Macy, playing Jan's anxious accountant. It may sound dry as paper, but this absorbing courtroom drama grabs you by the throat and never lets go.
Rating: - Good for use in Class
This is an interesting and educational movie, and is a good portrayal of what happens to human health when environmental regulations are non-existent or not enforced. I use this in my classes, but also enjoy the film from a recreational standpoint. It's worth a look!
Rating: - But I'm worth 5...
I really like this movie as much as Erin Brokovich. In some ways I found it more realistic. But I only gave it 4 stars because I couldn't get over how even a small law firm formerly successful let itself go under on one case. There was probably more to the story that didn't make it to the screen. But I would have thought they'd find some way to balance things to keep some income coming in - go slower and keep one or two of their attorneys still working on money making cases - or just focus on finding harder evidence first and referring it to the EPA in the first place. But anyway I would recommend it as much as Erin Brokovich.
Rating: - A Civil Action
Interesting movie to say the least with great cast of actors, very well acted movie and great storyline! John Travolta plays cocky personal injury lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, who decides to take on an environmental case where several children have died from leukemia due to water contamination from poisons/pollutants used by a tannery factory in the New England area. The tannery factory is owned by two big companies and Travolta's character along with his three other colleagues decide to take on the case to help assist the families and of course for the big pay out from these companies.
Unfortunately, Travolta's character and the rest of his colleagues become hugely in debt trying to win this case and have over extended themselves. The large corporations that own the tannery factory offer a $10 Million dollar settlement, which Travolta's and colleagues reluctantly accept because they know they don't have the money to take this case to court & are so far in debt that their personal finances are at stake.
Travolta's character eventually finds more evidence in this case and forwards all the depositions, environmental reports, evidence etc. to the Environmental Protection Agency in hopes they will take on this case in an appeals court. The Environmental Protection Agency does take on this case and wins! So not all is lost. This is a real feel good story with a happy ending.
|
|