The Judge Is A 2014 American Legal Drama Film Directed by David Dobkin

The Judge
is a 2014 American legal drama film directed by David Dobkin.[4] The film

stars Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax
Shepard and Billy Bob Thornton.[4] The film was released in the United States on October 10,
2014. It received mixed reviews; critics praised the performances of Duvall and Downey as well
as Thomas Newman's score while criticizing the formulaic nature of its script and the lack of
development for its supporting characters.
Duvall received multiple award nominations for his performance as Judge Joseph Palmer,
including the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and Satellite
Award for Best Supporting Actor. Thomas Newman also received a Satellite Award nomination
for Best Original Score.
Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) is a successful attorney in Chicago. When Hank receives
news his mother has just died, the judge grants his case a continuance. Before returning to his
hometown of Carlinville, Indiana to attend the funeral, Hank argues with his
neglected, unfaithful wife, Lisa, whom he is divorcing.
In Carlinville, Hank reunites with his older brother, Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio), a tire shop owner,
and his autistic younger brother Dale (Jeremy Strong). Hank's estranged father is Judge Joseph
Palmer (Robert Duvall) of Carlinville's criminal court. It's revealed that the two have been
estranged due to the Judge's harsh treatment of his son in light of his youthful indiscretions,
including a car accident when Hank was seventeen that had ruined Glen's future MLB career
and resulted in his father sending Hank to juvenile detention rather than the recommended
community service or otherwise helping his son.
From the courtroom gallery, Hank discreetly watches his father presiding a case. During the
proceedings, the Judge seems momentarily confused when he is unable to recall his long-
time bailiff's name. The morning after the funeral, Hank notices the Judge's Cadillac has the
right-front headlight and fender damaged and accuses his father, a recovered alcoholic, of
driving intoxicated. The Judge reacts defensively, having no memory of an accident. Hank's
strained family relationship is further complicated by his former girlfriend, Samantha Powell. He
comes to believe her college-student daughter, that he had earlier flirted with, may be his child,
though it is later learned his married brother, Glen, is the father.
The next day, after arguing with his father, Hank vows never to return to Carlinville and leaves
for the airport. Just before Hank's flight takes off, Glen calls to say the Judge is a suspect in a
fatal hit and run accident. The victim, Mark Blackwell (Mark Kiely), is a recently released ex-
convict who Judge Palmer had sentenced to twenty years in prison for a murder that he had
committed after the Judge had earlier given Blackwell a light sentence for shooting the victim's
house up.
Judge Palmer is indicted after police forensics confirm Blackwell's blood is on the Judge's
Cadillac. Judge Palmer is charged with second-degree murder. C.P. Kennedy (Dax Shepard) is
hired as the Judge's defense attorney. When his defense proves ineffective, Hank takes over as
lead counsel. While preparing for trial, Hank learns the Judge is
undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer. The Judge's inability to remember the accident
or previously recall his bailiff's name may be a side effect of chemotherapy. During this time,
Hank's daughter, Lauren, arrives for a short visit, meeting her grandfather for the first time and
bonding with him.
At the trial, Judge Palmer, honor-bound to his ethical responsibility, insists on testifying.
He scuttles his own defense by testifying he is unable to remember the accident, but believes
he may have intentionally killed Blackwell. Hank pushes the Judge until he reveals that he had
previously given Blackwell a lighter sentence, the biggest mistake of his career, because
Blackwell's circumstances had reminded the Judge of Hank and he'd seen the troubled son that
the Judge had refused to help in the young man. Judge Palmer is convicted on a lesser charge
of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in the Indiana State Prison.
Seven months later, Hank returns to Carlinville. The Judge has been granted a compassionate
release, allowing him to die at home. Fishing on a lake, Hank and the Judge appear to have
buried their mutual animosity. After praising Hank as a lawyer, the Judge suddenly and
peacefully dies in the boat. The courthouse flag flies at half-staff to honor Judge Joseph Palmer.
Hank visits the courthouse and spins the Judge's chair; it stops, facing him, implying a future
course.

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The Judge Is A 2014 American Legal Drama Film Directed by David Dobkin

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The Judge

is a 2014 American legal drama film directed by David Dobkin.[4] The film

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