12 Angry Men
3.5/4
Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Jack Warden, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec, Robert Webb
Not Rated
"12 Angry Men" is widely considered to be a classic film. Although it was a box office disaster when it was released (color films and widescreen made it seem behind the times), it did find a new respect with audiences on television. After viewing it, I can't sing its praises as high as some others would like, but I will say that it is a truly riveting film from frame one.
Twelve men have been assigned to discuss the evidence and testimony that they have heard during a murder trial. If they find the defendant not guilty, he will go free. If they find him guilty, he will go to the electric chair. Eleven of them, for various reasons, think that he's guilty. Only one isn't convinced. It'll take a lot of persuasion and careful words to convince everyone to let him go free.
This film could have ended up being either a really good film, or a spectacular disaster. Even with a cast as distinguished as this and a director of the utmost skill (anyone remember the 1998 thriller "Twilight" with Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon, and directed by Robert Benton? Didn't think so), it was by no means a guarantee of success. I mean, how interesting does it sound to spend 90 minutes listening to men talk?
Fortunately. the recipe turned out to be a big success. The performances are flawless and allow every actor a moment to shine (or more), and in addition to having a compelling story, it deals with issues such as morality, ethics, and the meaning of the term "reasonable doubt."
From an acting standpoint, there's not a weak link to be found. Henry Fonda makes Juror #8 into the ideal protagonist. He's almost meek, lurking in the background being the small voice of consicence that all of them have but don't want to listen to. We always side with the underdog, but Fonda forms an instantaneous bond with the audience. But the film is stolen from him by Lee J. Cobb. Known primarily from appearing in this film, "On the Waterfront," and more famously, "The Exorcist," Cobb delivers and electrifying performance as Juror #3. He, Ed Begley and E.G. Marshall make up #8's fiercest opponents (Cobb and Begley are the most firey) but it's Cobb who steals the show. Also appearing are Martin Balsam, whose most famous film was "Psycho" (he also appeared in "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's") and noted character actors Jack Klugman and Jack Warden.
On a technical level, this film is excellent. The cinematography increases the claustrophobia (the film takes place almost entirely in one room) and allows us to see the characters in the most telling ways. Not only do they ramp up the tension, they tell us things about the characters.
I liked how every character had their own motives. There's no melodrama or big twists here. Some are bored, one is anxiously awaiting a baseball game, and some are prejudiced (theoretically they would have been weeded out beforehand, but...). That last motive, which belongs to one character, is the film's biggest problem. The scene in which this is revealed seems manipulative and a little overblown.
That said, this is one of the old classics that has not lost any of its punch. I know there are a lot of people who are reluctant to watch some of the old movies (to an extent, I'm one of them). But please, take 90 minutes out of your life and put this in. You will not regret it.
Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Jack Warden, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec, Robert Webb
Not Rated
"12 Angry Men" is widely considered to be a classic film. Although it was a box office disaster when it was released (color films and widescreen made it seem behind the times), it did find a new respect with audiences on television. After viewing it, I can't sing its praises as high as some others would like, but I will say that it is a truly riveting film from frame one.
Twelve men have been assigned to discuss the evidence and testimony that they have heard during a murder trial. If they find the defendant not guilty, he will go free. If they find him guilty, he will go to the electric chair. Eleven of them, for various reasons, think that he's guilty. Only one isn't convinced. It'll take a lot of persuasion and careful words to convince everyone to let him go free.
This film could have ended up being either a really good film, or a spectacular disaster. Even with a cast as distinguished as this and a director of the utmost skill (anyone remember the 1998 thriller "Twilight" with Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon, and directed by Robert Benton? Didn't think so), it was by no means a guarantee of success. I mean, how interesting does it sound to spend 90 minutes listening to men talk?
Fortunately. the recipe turned out to be a big success. The performances are flawless and allow every actor a moment to shine (or more), and in addition to having a compelling story, it deals with issues such as morality, ethics, and the meaning of the term "reasonable doubt."
From an acting standpoint, there's not a weak link to be found. Henry Fonda makes Juror #8 into the ideal protagonist. He's almost meek, lurking in the background being the small voice of consicence that all of them have but don't want to listen to. We always side with the underdog, but Fonda forms an instantaneous bond with the audience. But the film is stolen from him by Lee J. Cobb. Known primarily from appearing in this film, "On the Waterfront," and more famously, "The Exorcist," Cobb delivers and electrifying performance as Juror #3. He, Ed Begley and E.G. Marshall make up #8's fiercest opponents (Cobb and Begley are the most firey) but it's Cobb who steals the show. Also appearing are Martin Balsam, whose most famous film was "Psycho" (he also appeared in "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's") and noted character actors Jack Klugman and Jack Warden.
On a technical level, this film is excellent. The cinematography increases the claustrophobia (the film takes place almost entirely in one room) and allows us to see the characters in the most telling ways. Not only do they ramp up the tension, they tell us things about the characters.
I liked how every character had their own motives. There's no melodrama or big twists here. Some are bored, one is anxiously awaiting a baseball game, and some are prejudiced (theoretically they would have been weeded out beforehand, but...). That last motive, which belongs to one character, is the film's biggest problem. The scene in which this is revealed seems manipulative and a little overblown.
That said, this is one of the old classics that has not lost any of its punch. I know there are a lot of people who are reluctant to watch some of the old movies (to an extent, I'm one of them). But please, take 90 minutes out of your life and put this in. You will not regret it.
Comments
Post a Comment