Video Review

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 49, 26 May 1987, Page 9

Video Review

The 1979 movie "And Justice For AII" starring A1 Pacino is a bit like three episodes of L.A. Law without the soap or the late 80's gloss. But while L.A. Law shows the US legal system in a favourable light, "And Justice For All" condemns it as a system full of corruption and ineptitude. It is an entertaining movie with many ironic episodes played for laughs as well as situations. with people suffering gross injustices to whet your sense of moral outrage and a few kinks in the plot and sub-plots to surprise you. Though no twists in the romantic interlude which is fairly predictable. A1 Pacino plays a straight lawyer amongst crazy and crooked lawyers and judges. He is forced to defend a judge he despises on a charge of rape. All the evidence points to the judge being innocent but it would be a great opportunity for the courts to be rid of the man who has no compassion. The hard judge is played by John Forsythe, of Dynasty fame. He plays the part as the archetype slick-on-the-outside sleeze-on-the-inside power tripper. The movie explores the dilemma facing defence lawyers who sometimes save guilty people from prosecution while seeing innocents locked up. Some of the legal professionals handle the system by doing deals. Some don't handle it and go crazy. Though one judge that appears to be the craziest of the lot - he attempts suicide after most court sessions - seems at the end to be the only one with a real sense of fair play. And that brings us to the end. No solutions for the legal system's problems but your sense of moral outrage should be quietened with the final courtroom scene. "And Justice For All" - a reasonably old video movie but a reasonably g o o d one.