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The Judge

The Judge

Drama · 2014

A successful lawyer returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral only to discover that his estranged father, the town's judge, is suspected of murder.

Movie details

The Judge

“Defend your Honor.”

2014 Drama 2h 21m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.3 / 10

Community rating

A successful lawyer returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral only to discover that his estranged father, the town's judge, is suspected of murder.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Judge?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Long, Hot Summer

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Accused barn burner and conman Ben Quick arrives in a small Mississippi town and quickly ingratiates himself with its richest family, the Varners.

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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

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Drama · 1958

An alcoholic ex-football player drinks his days away, having failed to come to terms with his sexuality and his real feelings for his football buddy who died after an ambiguous accident. His wife is crucified by her desperation to make him desire her: but he resists the affections of his wife. His reunion with his father—who is dying of cancer—jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son.

Short Term 12

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To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Drama · 1962

Scout Finch, 6, and her older brother Jem live in sleepy Maycomb, Alabama, spending much of their time with their friend Dill and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. When Atticus, their widowed father and a respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson against fabricated rape charges, the trial and tangent events expose the children to evils of racism and stereotyping.

The Children Act

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In the midst of a marital crisis, a High Court judge must decide if she should order a life-saving blood transfusion for a teen with cancer despite his family's refusal to accept medical treatment for religious reasons.

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On a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills, 17-year-old Sam contends with the competing egos of her father and his oldest friend.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

David Dobkin

Written by

Bill Dubuque · Nick Schenk · David Dobkin

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr.

Hank Palmer

Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall

Joseph Palmer

Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga

Samantha Powell

Vincent D'Onofrio

Vincent D'Onofrio

Glen Palmer

Jeremy Strong

Jeremy Strong

Dale Palmer

Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard

C.P. Kennedy

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton

Dwight Dickham

Court is in session

Put The Judge on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.