As THE JUDGE opens, we see NYC lawyer Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) in full, obnoxious glory, verbally dismantling a prosecutor in the mens room. Hank represents bad people who happen to be mostly guilty, rich and able to buy Hank's services, often leading to their freedom.
As we follow Hank home to a stunning, modern mini-mansion in the country, we see that his home life is less than perfect.
When Hank gets news that his mother has passed away, he immediately heads home to the small town from which he feels he escaped, reconnecting with long-time friends & family.
It's clear that plenty of jealousy, hard feelings and anger frame these relationships, none more so than Hank's father Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall).
The elder Palmer is a respected, long time judge in the small town and a pillar of the community. He is old fashioned, strict and consistent in his expectations of his family and the people in his courtroom. Hank and Joseph barely speak the entire time Hank is there for his mother's service, driving Hank to quickly make an exit back to NYC.
Before Hank can arrive home, Joseph is involved in a hit and run accident involving a man in town he had previously sentenced to prison.
As the facts begin to emerge, Judge Palmer's position looks worse and Hank returns to his hometown to try and defend his father.
The story goes in many directions from there, with Duvall and Downey carrying you quickly along in a nice merging of family and courtroom drama.
Billy Bob Thornton is excellent as a lawyer with an axe to grind with Hank that now is prosecuting the Judge. Thornton seems to be at the top of his game, between this and "Fargo" in 2014.
Vera Farmiga is an old flame of Hank's, Vincent D'Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket) is Hank's brother and Dax Shepard is hilarious as a local lawyer that the Judge hires as his lead defense counsel.
As the film unwound, I was glad that it took a predictable story and spun off on a different path. Thanks to this cast, the characters seem more driven by real emotion than a screenplay.
Duvall was deservedly nominated for an Oscar as the reserved Judge, battling aging, health and his own expectations in and out of the courtroom. Downey starts out as a lawyer version of Tony Stark, but evolves, showing plenty of range as Hank.
The entire film feels like the comfortable, early John Grisham novels and as film comfort food, that's not a bad thing at all. Our verdict on The Judge is an entertaining B.
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