The Verdict movie poster

The Verdict

7.5/10

Rating

129 min

Runtime

1982

Release Year

Sidney Lumet

Director

Cast

Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea

Quick Synopsis

Frank Galvin is a struggling lawyer who has fallen into a routine of drinking and chasing ambulance cases. One day, a former colleague brings him a medical malpractice lawsuit, reminding him of his professional duties. Although everyone involved seems ready to settle the case quietly out of court, Galvin begins to see the importance of taking the case to trial. He believes that going to court is necessary not only to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure fair compensation for his clients but also to rebuild his reputation as a competent attorney.

Detailed Synopsis of The Verdict

Frank Galvin is a down-on-his-luck lawyer and reduced to drinking and ambulance chasing, when a former associate reminds him of his obligations in a medical malpractice suit by serving it to Galvin on a silver platter—all parties are willing to settle out of court. Blundering his way through the preliminaries, Galvin suddenly realizes that the case should actually go to court—to punish the guilty, to get a decent settlement for his clients... and to restore his standing as a lawyer.

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