5 Courtroom Dramas to Watch

Courtroom Dramas have been an integral part of Hollywood since the 50s. There are iconic films that belong to this genre. Movies like 12 Angry Men, Kramer vs Kramer and A Few Good Men have greatly impacted movie history. These movies ranged from book adaptations to real-life incidents. Those who like watching action-oriented and fast-moving films may find courtroom dramas boring. These movies deliver a lot of powerful and reasonable dialogues that have been remembered by the audience for long. I have listed a few courtroom dramas from our time that we have loved watching.

1. Primal Fear: One of the best courtroom dramas I have ever watched is this 1996 film starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton in his Golden Globe-winning role. Gere stars as Martin Vail, a high-profile lawyer who has made a name for himself by running for notorious gangsters and criminals. Although everyone, including his ex-girlfriend Janet, thinks all he wants is money and fame, his real motive behind choosing such clients is that he strongly believes that there is something good in every person, and he wants to bring that out. Things take an ugly turn when he takes up the case of Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old teenager arrested for the brutal murder of the Archbishop, with the rival prosecutor being Janet. Some disturbing secrets involving some powerful people slowly unfold during the case. This film was a milestone as the concept of Split personality or Alter ego was not that common prior to that (Psycho). Norton's portrayal of the stuttering, shy and meek Aaron and his sudden transformations to the angry and violent Roy is remarkable. The final scene where he leaves Vail absolutely baffled, with his act of split personality remains iconic till this time. He is so good in the role that even to this day, his brilliant performance is still considered one of the top-notch ones.

2. My Cousin Vinny: Remember Joe Pesci, our favourite Bad guy from the Home Alone franchise? Well, one should not miss this funny courtroom drama from 1992. Pesci stars as Vinny Gambini, an inexperienced lawyer, who is appointed to defend his cousin, Bill and his friend who are charged for murder. With much trial and comedy of errors, finally Vinny succeeds to save Bill from the false allegations, with the help of his Fiancee Lisa (Marisa Tomei). Both Pesci and Tomei as the funny couple are a riot on screen. No wonder, that fetched them an Oscar each. This film is a must-watch for the funny moments, the hilarious courtroom dialogues, and the rendzevous of the 2 actors.

3. A Time to Kill: John Grisham's book Adaptation turned into one of the most chilling legal dramas of all time. This 1996 film had a plethora of actors like Matthew Mccaughney, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Donald Sutherland, Ashley Judd and Kiefer Sutherland. A white lawyer, Jake Brigance (Mccaughney), takes up the revenge murder case of a Black Mississippi resident, Carl Lee (Samuel L. Jackson). Carl Lee had killed the rapist and abductors of his 10 year old daughter who had also tried to kill her by hanging. How Jake, with the aid of his defending team, including Ellen (Bullock) and a few others, diligently convinced the strict jury, consisting of all-white members, amidst outrages from Ku Klux Klan and violent racial riots is what the outstanding film is about. I am sure, even those who are not very keen on watching court room trials, cannot totally pass this film. Every scene has certain revealation, every expression has a meaning to it and every moment represents the highly challenging life a black goes through as a minority. 

4. Philadelphia: When Tom Hanks received his first Academy Award, for this 1993 movie, everyone knew a Star has come to rule. Hanks stars as Andy Beckett, an AIDS patient, who is fired from his job, on false grounds. Beckett files a case, and after many rejections, finds Joe Miller (Denzel Washington ) who finally agrees to take up his case. After a lot of research and trials, finally they emerge victorious on grounds of discrimination for STD. Although Beckett dies at the end, fighting his AIDS battle, he gains respect and all false accusations were taken away from him. The film is heart-warming and creates a lasting impact with its message of equal treatment. In a few touching scenes, where Joe, who had often been a victim of racial discrimination, finally agrees to take up the case of Beckett so that he can fight for another wrongful discrimination.

5. To Kill a Mocking Bird: Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was turned into an Academy Award film in 1962 by Robert Mulligan. The film stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, a lawyer who believes in modern ideologies of equal rights and fair treatment in the racially discriminating small town of Maycomb. Finch defends an African American named Tom Robinson who is arrested on rape charges of a white woman. Even though Finch successfully tries his best to prove Tom's innocence, the latter is simply proven guilty because of his skin colour, and later is lynched by an angry mob. The film throws light on the absurdities and horrific discrimination that were inflicted upon African Americans at those times. This movie is a must-watch courtroom drama and Gregory Peck was simply brilliant in his portrayal of Atticus Finch, justifying every bit of his Oscar win.