An underdog lawyer takes on a fraudulent insurance company.An underdog lawyer takes on a fraudulent insurance company.An underdog lawyer takes on a fraudulent insurance company.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 10 nominations
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene where Danny DeVito wakes up Matt Damon on the bench was filmed hurriedly, surprising Damon, who had actually fallen asleep after a scene.
- GoofsWhen Rudy is late for court, Deck takes his place briefly. Deck was not admitted as an attorney and hence could not have done this. All counsel enter their appearance at the start of a trial including those who may not even speak on the record. The judge should not have allowed Deck to utter one word at the trial but does so.
- Quotes
Rudy Baylor: What's the difference between a lawyer and a hooker? A hooker'll stop screwing you after you're dead.
- Crazy creditsThere is a credit for "Poet in Residence".
- Alternate versionsOriginal theatrical and VHS releases had the 1987 Paramount logo, while the DVD and Blu-Ray prints as well as later TV prints had the 2003 Paramount logo.
Featured review
Do not compare to the book.
Readers are usually disappointed when a favorite book is translated to film. If you are looking for a Grisham thriller here, you will be disappointed. But, if you are looking for a courtroom drama with a great cast, then this is a great film.
Matt Damon shines as Rudy, recently out of law school, who sets up an office with Deck Schifflet (Danny DeVito) who is still trying to pass his bar exam. He also finds a place to stay with Miss Birdie (Teresa Wright) who has hired him to handle her estate papers.
Rudy is drawn to the plight of Kelly (Claire Danes), a working-class girl whose husband has battered her with a baseball bat. But the real drama is centered on Great Benefit, an insurance company that has refused to pay a claim of one of its policy holders.
Dot Black (Mary Kay Place) whose son is dying of leukemia is suing the company for denying her claim. In the courtroom, the unpolished Rudy is forced to square off against Leo F. Drummond (Jon Voight), a corporate lawyer who knows all the tricks of the trade. This David versus Goliath battle is well worth watching.
Damon, De Vito and Voight, along with Claire Danes and Danny Glover shine in this film.
So, forget the book and enjoy a great film.
Matt Damon shines as Rudy, recently out of law school, who sets up an office with Deck Schifflet (Danny DeVito) who is still trying to pass his bar exam. He also finds a place to stay with Miss Birdie (Teresa Wright) who has hired him to handle her estate papers.
Rudy is drawn to the plight of Kelly (Claire Danes), a working-class girl whose husband has battered her with a baseball bat. But the real drama is centered on Great Benefit, an insurance company that has refused to pay a claim of one of its policy holders.
Dot Black (Mary Kay Place) whose son is dying of leukemia is suing the company for denying her claim. In the courtroom, the unpolished Rudy is forced to square off against Leo F. Drummond (Jon Voight), a corporate lawyer who knows all the tricks of the trade. This David versus Goliath battle is well worth watching.
Damon, De Vito and Voight, along with Claire Danes and Danny Glover shine in this film.
So, forget the book and enjoy a great film.
Helpful•525
- lastliberal
- Apr 5, 2007
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- El poder de la justicia
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $40,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $45,916,769
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $10,626,507
- Nov 23, 1997
- Gross worldwide
- $45,916,769
- Runtime2 hours 15 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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