Lawyer Man

This film moves too fast for introspective angst or art design to be an issue, so if you want that go watch an MGM or Paramount film of the period. Instead the film focuses on rapid fire dialog and keeping the plot moving. What makes this one a cut above most films of the early 30's are the players, in particular the dapper and charming William Powell as East Side lawyer Tony Adam and brassy Joan Blondell as Olga, his secretary who wants things to be more than they are between herself and Tony. Sparks do fly from time to time, and when they do it just doesn't quite work on the romantic level - rather like picturing James Cagney and Myrna Loy as romantic leads in a film.

When the film opens Tony is a lawyer with a hole in the wall office on the East Side of New York City. He's defending neighborhood hoods and ripped off struggling businessmen, but he wants more - he wants to be a big shot. He gets what he wants and then some and the film shows his trek through the ups and downs of an uptown practice, his run-ins with the corrupt political boss of the city that can't decide if he wants to hire Tony or rub him out, and the high society ladies who use him and lose him along the way.

The final speech by Tony as he makes a crucial career decision will have you going huh?? where did that come from?? as there has been no indication that Tony is learning anything from any of this up to the last two minutes. Still it's enjoyable to see darts flying from Joan Blondell's eyes and William Powell unruffled in the the face of bullets, ballots, or blackmail. I'd recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the precodes, and in particular the fast moving WB precodes.

"Lawyer Man" pairs William Powell and Joan Blondell. That, in itself, is enough reason to see this film about a downtown attorney, Anton "Tony" Adam, who aspires to something bigger, but is unfocused about exactly what he wants. Joan Blondell, in one of the ten film releases of 1932 that list her in its credits, is a real joy as Olga, the secretary who tries to keep Tony on track and out of mischief. She has her hands full, because Tony has an eye for the skirts and a good left hook.

When Tony's natural talents as an attorney land him in an uptown office, he still struggles to keep his nose clean. And he never notices Olga's personal feelings for him.

In 1932, Blondell was not married yet, but only four years away from her second marriage, to Dick Powell. Seeing her in this pre-Code film is a real treat, though she could have used more on-screen time.

Despite two very winning star players, this picture is all surface: a trite story with no depth of characterization whatsoever, constructed of an unusually large number of very brief scenes which move the plot along but are not sufficiently developed to generate any feeling for the characters. The potential "meat" of the story concerns a presumed crisis of conscience for William Powell as a very capable but too ambitious attorney, along with his relationship with radiant Joan Blondell as the secretary/Girl Friday he takes for granted. Lots of potential here, all of it sacrificed to keep the plot moving.

Just an average pre-Code film, this one about corruption in New York politics and the legal system, but elevated because of William Powell (the streetwise lawyer who isn't afraid to take on the system) and Joan Blondell (his plucky secretary who isn't afraid to chastise him for his various indiscretions). Part of the amusement is Powell's wandering eyes; he ogles women walking by, unwittingly leers at Blondell's legs while she's getting her shoes shined, and even seems to admire the backside of a small statue of Lady Justice after turning her around on his desk. While admiring the svelte form of a beautiful actress sitting in front of him with her plunging neckline (Claire Dodd), he slowly tilts his cigar upwards in his mouth in a mock erection, which for 1932 cracked me up. Blondell is adorable, showing her frustration and devotion to Powell and tossing out lines like "I smelled trouble the minute that long blonde started throwing those bedroom eyes on you," but she isn't given enough to do. The setup to the film was decent enough, but it meanders around while trying to pit Powell against the corrupt local boss (David Landau), a character who isn't strong enough considering his position. There isn't enough edge in the plot relative to the depiction of corruption, and not enough clarity to make it a strong drama or romance. It's mildly entertaining though, and of special interest because it was the only time Powell and Blondell worked together, two actors I'm fond of.

Really liked 'Lawyer Man's' premise and thought to myself quickly that this had potential to be a great film. Have loved Joan Blondell and especially William Powell in other films and was interested to see how Powell would fare in a role quite different for him. William Dieterle wasn't one of the greatest directors in my view and some films were better (much better in a few cases) than others, but his best work was absolutely great.

'Lawyer Man' was not quite great. Two thirds of it actually to me was great and extremely entertaining, one third not so much when things got less plausible. Dieterle did do better, as well as worse, films but 'Lawyer Man' is a solid representation of him. Same goes for Blondell, who was nearly always was a bright spot in her work, and for Powell, who always gave it one hundred percent and had a commanding presence in everything he did.

Both Powell and Blondell are great here. Especially Powell, whose suave charisma, easy-going charm and intensity really shines in a type of role that people wouldn't usually associate him typically with. Blondell is pert, lovely to watch and has a good deal of energy. They gel very well together. The supporting cast are solid too, although generally the supporting characters themselves could have been better fleshed out. David Landau plays his crook with a heart sort of character without over-playing or looking bored. Dieterle makes sure that the energy and intrigue doesn't slip.

It has a slick, professional look and much of 'Lawyer Man' goes at a lively pace, having a good deal of content without cluttering and it doesn't feel padded. Two thirds of the story is hugely compelling with lots of tension and intrigue and little obviousness, further benefitting from a sharp script with a surprisingly cynical edge on politics and legal ethics handled thoughtfully and not in a preachy way.

Sadly didn't think that the final third was as good, where credibility is pushed and strained to the limit. The pace also didn't feel as tight.

Also felt that the film ends a little too patly and pretty predictably and it is a shame that the supporting characters are not developed enough, most being there as mainly plot devices.

Overall though, well worth seeing for namely Powell. 7/10