12 ANGRY MEN (1957)

12 Angry Men has a special place in my heart because it is also the only stage play I have ever acted in. I played Juror #10, the racist bigot, a few years ago (I guess I have that kind of unfortunate face for unflattering casting). That aside, no special connection is needed to connect with this film, though. The dialogue is brilliant, with each juror demonstrating the best and worst qualities that tend to take up space within all of us as they fight against their flawed human nature toward a truly ethical and just end. The movie almost entirely takes place within a jury room and is old-school filmmaking at its best, featuring pure acting and a dialogue-driven narrative with palpable tension.

THE PAPER CHASE (1973)

The Paper Chase is often listed as one of the films that every aspiring attorney should watch before law school. Based on the novel by John Jay Osborn Jr., it follows James T. Hart, played by Timothy Bottoms, as he negotiates his first year at Harvard Law School. From my knowledge, the film does well to display the pressures put upon a typical 1L and the dreaded Socratic method faced during classroom instruction. Professor Kingsfield Jr., played by John Houseman, represents the terrifying contract law professor brilliantly, and is surely a source of relatable camaraderie for law students everywhere. Life’s priorities are often set straight in the face of such adversity, to which we can all relate.

A FEW GOOD MEN (1992)

My most watched film from this entire list, A Few Good Men, is just too good. A transcendent mixture of military drama, patriotism, sports love, one-liners, legal intrigue, international travel, and extreme tension. If there were any addition of John Wick-esque killing or culinary pandering, I would never have to watch any other film ever again! The entire all-star cast have their parts down cold in a story that is believable, thrilling, and thoroughly captivating. I’ll spare you the obligatory “you can’t handle the truth” quote. Oops, I guess I won’t.

MY COUSIN VINNY (1992)

It took me a while before I truly appreciated the greatness that is My Cousin Vinny. I watched the film much later in life, so I didn’t get what the big deal was at first. The more you watch, though, the better it gets. There is serious tension in the courtroom as Joe Pesci’s character, Vincent LaGuardia Gambini, tries to navigate the difficulties of in-court litigation and civil procedure against a judge, played by Fred Gwynne, who can’t believe that what is being presented before him is real. Sure, Ralph Macchio is in it, but the real star is the stunning Marisa Tomei, who becomes every man’s dream with her impressive car knowledge, street-smart intelligence, intense loyalty, and noble morals.

THE FIRM (1993)

Based on the novel by John Grisham, The Firm plays on the seductive nature of the lucrative “big” law firms that attract so many to the life of a corporate transactional litigator. Tom Cruise is stellar, and we even get one of his first-but-soon-to-be-classic intense sprint scenes. Gene Hackman also is especially terrific as he plays a likable but morally compromised mentor. It’s a classic 90s legal thriller that explores our desire for prestige and wealth and what the cost might be to achieve them.

THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (1997)

Keanu Reeves has my heart, what can I say?! This devilish film definitely comes in second for my most-watched legal dramas. A great departure from the realism of most of the other movies I’ve named here, the uncomfortable temptations on display are as real as ever. It’s sexy and wickedly tempting to imagine oneself in our hero’s position, only to feel the discomfort of the situation devolving as the story progresses. Priorities are in the balance as you sympathize and attempt to reconcile your own greed and ambition against the need to be true to the people you say you care most about.

THE RAINMAKER (1997)

John Grisham strikes again! The Rainmaker makes for somewhat boilerplate and formulaic courtroom melodrama, but still manages to work on so many levels. The dichotomy of the new, ambitious lawyer joining forces with the experienced, shady lawyer to take on the not-to-be-trusted, evil corporation makes the film unique in that it lacks the traditional glorification of the prestigious and often cocky lawyer. A script written and directed by the ever-talented Francis Ford Coppola, we get a story where we are able to sincerely connect to the characters within it. And when those characters are portrayed by Matt Damon, Jon Voight, Mickey Rourke, and Danny DeVito, it’s impossible not to love this legal drama for everything that it is.

ERIN BROCKOVICH (2000)

Hmm…maybe, there’s a reason why fighting the big, bad corporation is a theme so prevalent in the more successful legal dramas. In this case, we get a movie based on a true story where, according to IMDb, “the real Erin Brockovich-Ellis claimed that the film was 98-99% accurate.” Julia Roberts’ commanding presence makes for some of the best acting I have seen from her, while Albert Finney plays the part of Ms. Brockovich’s boss to a tee. A true underdog story, it’s impossible not to root for this heroine, whose back is against the ropes as she fights for justice and to make a better life for herself and her family. 

LEGALLY BLONDE (2001)

I know, I know. And I don’t care… I enthusiastically endorse this movie. Legally Blonde may not be a sophisticated film of epic proportions, but I feel good watching it. It has a classic, “don’t judge a book by its cover” message that gives me courage to be exactly who I am, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Despite any propensity we may feel to not take Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, seriously, we can’t help but cheer her along as she succeeds when the world is telling her that she won’t. It’s a women’s empowerment film without being preachy, featuring a message that we can all gain from. Of note: I recently took the LSAT, and I can assure you that the 179 she scores to get into Harvard is, like, really good.

THE LINCOLN LAWYER (2011)

Well, well…Marisa Tomei, we meet again. Okay, besides her, the film is packed with fantastic acting talent, including William H. Macy, John Leguizamo, Bryan Cranston, and Ryan Phillippe. Most significantly is the smooth-talking and extremely cool Mick Haller, played by Matthew McConaughey, a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to deal with the type of clientele he must regularly convene with. Based on the Michael Connelly novel of the same name, the lawyerly perspective here feels incredibly accurate, and the tension is wired tight from beginning to end. In fact, it’s such a good and reliable watch for legal film fans that Netflix even created a series adaptation.