O Desafio da Lei

1999? Even back then, we knew where things were headed. Prescient or predictable? That Roe v Wade was always so vulnerable, that the Supremes could overturn the law of the land, that women would again have to struggle with other people governing their bodies, relinquishing freedom of choice and the privacy of a decision so personal...who could have thought it. It scares me...what other laws will get overturned? The acting and script do justice to the breadth and depth of debate. Alabama, Texas, Louisiana et al.,...conservative states which call abortion murder, all poor states which neglect those lives once they enter the world, poorly educated, poorly fed, some abused. Prison terms and accusations of murder. Gawd...

A movie that discusses about abortion and the decisions made by the Supreme Court of Justice was a excellent subject but in the case of "Swing Vote" was a poor execution, very similar to a staged play with some inauthentic lines and a melancholic, poor and cheesy soundtrack. But it was a nice film though.

Andy Garcia plays the young Judge Kirkland, a newcomer into the Supreme Court after the retirement of other judge (Milo O'Shea). Kirkland is the responsible for the Swing Vote in the difficult case of creating the laws over abortion. He's pressured by the other members of the court to make up his mind quickly, even though we already know (in some moments) his position on the subject but he wants to hear all sides of the story, including met a reporter who is totally against it, and a woman defender of abortion and the women's rights.

The religion discussion, the women's right issues, the law issues, all the sides of this controversial subject was showed; Garcia's character wants to make up his mind on the issue but he must consider all the aspects and all the pros and cons. The text is overwritten, has many gasps, weak and boring in many points.

Andy Garcia is quite bad in some scenes and that's something rare to say about him or his performances. The scene where he shouts at Harry Belafonte is a terrible example of an actor trying to rise above the other but with no trace of skills. In other moments he is decent but for the most part of the story it was a poor character for him to play. The supporting cast is good, including names like Robert Prosky, Kate Nelligan, Ray Walston, Bob Balaban, James Whitmore, John Aylward, Lisa Gay Hamilton and Michael O'Keefe. But what amazed me was that none of them exceed the other, nothing was so fantastic that could earn an Emmy nomination, and the movie wasn't nominated for one actually. They're good, but not that much.

It is a good film in the sense that it impels the viewer with some moralistic opinion or politically incorrect views on the controversial subject; it shows the different aspects and points of view and who's behind of such opinions. Well made but not much as I expected. 6/10

A movie about the arguments pro and contra abortion isn't something you see every week. And when such a movie doesn't even make a statement in favor of one the two that's even more rare. This movie is one of this kind. It gives you all the arguments pro and contra but doesn't make a decision for you, which is a good thing.

Everybody who hopes to see a court thriller will be very disappointed. All you get to see are the judges trying to come to a compromise and some lobbyists trying to influence their opinions in function of their own cause. The story has its weaknesses, but overall it is quite good. Same for the acting. Most of the time this is more than just "TV-quality".

This isn't a bad movie, but I do understand why this went straight to video. It wouldn't stand a chance in the multiplex because it isn't a brilliant and gripping story that stands out above the average. In the end this movie may not be the best you've ever seen but it will not be a complete waste of your time either. I reward it with a 6.5/10.

Since the day I saw this movie several years ago, I have been trying to obtain a copy of it. That it has not received better reviews surprises me. The movie captured my interest on multiple levels……the insight one gains into the behind the scene politics of the judiciary, the fallible human element of judicial decisions, the ludicrousness and simultaneous pragmatism of the law and the influence of personal politics and values on judicial opinion were fascinating. The astounding reality of our times that could put a woman on trial for exerting control over her own body rightly or wrongly, and ultimately (and the clincher for me) the human face of judicial decisions…..the considerations and final balance of judgment we see applied in Andy Garcia's brilliant closing argument are very moving. I highly recommend it.

It's incredible how this movie really understands and articulates the issues at hand. In 2022 we are here. I appreciate the perspective that both arguments have integrity and it is really hard to be an outsider (justice) who must decide what the rules are. It's harder to be a woman faced with this decision. Regardless of how I feel about the outcome I applaud the writers, actors and director for making this film.