IMDb RATING
6.1/10
707
YOUR RATING
When a sexy actress is charged with murder, a charming celebrity lawyer uses trickery to defend her against the press as well as the prosecution.When a sexy actress is charged with murder, a charming celebrity lawyer uses trickery to defend her against the press as well as the prosecution.When a sexy actress is charged with murder, a charming celebrity lawyer uses trickery to defend her against the press as well as the prosecution.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Patrick J. Dancy
- Interpreter
- (as Patrick Dancy)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I had never heard of this film before watching it and from its description and out-of-the-way billing was not expecting much. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This story of a lawyer straight out of law-school being handed the highest profile case in America being guided behind the scene by a big-hitting celebrity lawyer is no classic and will never be remembered in any poll but is solid entertainment. It turns out to be cleverer than it appears and cons well. It also comments on the role of the media in high profile cases and the way the practice of law uses and abuses this role. This film entertains and is well worth looking at.
Better than most of the latter-day Rockford Files, James Garner, as a famous attorney, shares the good work and screen time with other cast members in this story of a high-profile murder defense. From the outset, something smells fishy. Numerous twists and neat touches maintain interest from start to finish and make this an enjoyable, not-too-serious story. As other team attornies, Mary-Louise Parker and Edward Kerr (the real central figure) provide the intertwined (in more ways than one) secondary romantic thread. Gina Gershon is the glamorous accused model, while Kathleen Turner plays an aggressive TV reporter with her own tabloid show, "Scandals Unlimited." See if you can identify Brian Doyle Murray in several brief scenes.
In sum, worth another viewing.
In sum, worth another viewing.
10Miller13
This has great elements of suspense, drama, law, sex and comedy and some great actors in Garner and Gershon. The others make it a great cast and a great movie that you'll remember. It's just a great one.
Angela Beale a famous actress is charged with murdering her violent husband . The problem with this premise is that the very first scene sees Angela acting all strange as she bangs on doors telling everyone she killed her husband , though maybe that's not accurate . Maybe I should be saying the actress playing Angela - Gina Gershon - gives a masterclass in how to mug and over act for the camera in order for the audience to know that maybe she didn't kill her husband in self defence
That's the problem with LEGALSESE it's ridiculously overplayed , so much so that you have to turn off the sound and avoid looking at the screen to stop the performances assaulting your senses . Bob Hoskins said that the camera can read your mind and it's true so why didn't the cast in this movie realise this ?
I notice that the screen credits say Glenn Jordan was the director while Billy Ray wrote the script but since TNT was the TV company that produced this I have the feeling LEGALSESE was the brain child of Ted Turner . The villain of the story is Norman Keane . Is he a surrogate Rupert Murdoch by any chance ? No doubt this TVM is trying to be satirical but for satire to work via a narrative story subtlety is needed and there's no subtlety in sight - Only very loud acting
That's the problem with LEGALSESE it's ridiculously overplayed , so much so that you have to turn off the sound and avoid looking at the screen to stop the performances assaulting your senses . Bob Hoskins said that the camera can read your mind and it's true so why didn't the cast in this movie realise this ?
I notice that the screen credits say Glenn Jordan was the director while Billy Ray wrote the script but since TNT was the TV company that produced this I have the feeling LEGALSESE was the brain child of Ted Turner . The villain of the story is Norman Keane . Is he a surrogate Rupert Murdoch by any chance ? No doubt this TVM is trying to be satirical but for satire to work via a narrative story subtlety is needed and there's no subtlety in sight - Only very loud acting
10Dan-121
This is a great movie!! It is much much better than most made for T.V. movies. Edward Kerr is so 'engagingly' charming and wonderful. I truly enjoyed his portrayal of lawyer Roy Guyton. Kathleen Turner is hilarious as the reporter/talk show host. The rest of the cast is equally good. All in all, this is a movie well worth watching.
Did you know
- GoofsAngela Beale is said to "be licensed to have a gun". In 1998, the state of California did not require that gun owners be licensed. A permit must be obtained to carry a concealed weapon and assault weapons must be registered, but no other licenses need be obtained.
- Quotes
Rica Martin: I haven't met a guy worth a second date in the last ten months. Three of the guys I 86'ed over dinner, told me they thought I was a lesbian waiting to happen. They might be right, so far, I've been too busy to give it a shot.
- ConnectionsReferenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter Billy Ray (2007)
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