Justice and Intrigue Collide in Southwest Drama

Read Time:4 Minute, 22 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Lawyer (Special Edition) Blu-ray
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Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Year Released: 1970, 2024 Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Runtime: 2h
Director(s): Sidney J. Furie
Writer(s): Sidney J. Furie, Harold Buchman
Cast: Barry Newman, Diana Muldaur, Harold Gould, Kathleen Crowley, Robert Colbert, William J. Kemmerling, William Sylvester
Where To Watch: available May 21, 2024; pre-order here www.kinolorber.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: As the gavel sounds, THE LAWYER captivates its audience from the first frame, thrusting us into the gritty atmosphere of Baker, a town that mirrors the complexity of the human spirit with its blend of high society and secretive unknowns. Barry Newman delivers a powerful performance in character depth as Tony Petrocelli, a Harvard-educated lawyer caught in the vortex of a high-profile murder case. He defends Dr. Jack Harrison, played by Robert Colbert, who finds himself accused of his wife’s untimely demise under questionable circumstances.

Director Sidney J. Furie navigates the murky intersections of power and justice with a dedicated hand in this legal labyrinth. Inspired by the notorious Sam Sheppard case, the film is textured with a palpable sense of intrigue that amplifies the tension within the courtroom and beyond. It charts Petrocelli's strategic maneuvers against a backdrop of courtroom theatricality and media sensationalism.

At the core of THE LAWYER is Newman’s portrayal of Petrocelli, a man wrestling with the dual demands of his professional responsibilities and personal ethics. This internal conflict is mirrored in his relationship with his wife and legal secretary, Ruth, portrayed by Diana Muldaur. Their partnership underscores the individual stakes, enriching the narrative with relational dynamics.

The plot hinges when Dr. Harrison’s facade of a well-curated life shatters with the brutal murder of his wife, a high-society figure portrayed by Mary Wilcox. The local detective played with a dose of skepticism by Warren Kemmerling, quickly targets Harrison and pits Petrocelli against a crafty prosecutor (Harold Gould). A classic cerebral battle ensues, a game of cat and mouse laden with legal acrobatics and ethical quandaries.

Newman’s Petrocelli is a compelling blend of East Coast education and Southwestern tenacity, embodying the contradictions of his environment. His character is not only defined by his legal expertise but also by his blunt, often humorous confrontation with the realities of rural justice. The script, peppered with dry wit and an all too serious-realism of the region, positions the film as a legal thriller and a study of characters under pressure.

Crafting suspense through innovative narrative devices such as flashbacks and multiple perspectives, THE LAWYER actively engages viewers. We are not merely spectators but participants, piecing together the mystery of the crime as revelations unfold. This technique ensures the tension is sustained and escalates, drawing the audience deeper into the investigative vortex.

Supporting performances, including Kathleen Crowley’s portrayal of Alice Fiske and various town residents, paint a vivid portrait of a community at a crossroads. These characters do more than fill the background; they are the lifeblood of Baker, contributing to the film’s exploration of societal shifts and the legal upheavals accompanying them.

THE LAWYER transcends the conventional boundaries of legal dramas. It plunges into the depths of human relationships and pressure that molds our perceptions of justice. Newman’s Tony Petrocelli emerges not just as a lawyer but as a beacon of determination, his quest for truth a reflection of the film’s enduring themes of justice and integrity. Though rooted in its time, THE LAWYER’s legal and moral conflict narrative resonates universally, offering a cinematic experience rich with authenticity and dramatic tension.

Product Perks:
2021 HD Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer and Film Director Paul Lynch, with Archival Excerpts from Director Sidney J. Furie
Newman’s Law: Interview with Star Barry Newman (21:34)
Lawyers’ Wives and Lost Loves: Interview with Actress Diana Muldaur (10:56)
Theatrical Teaser (0:40)
Newly Commissioned Key Art by Vince Evans
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER, PARAMOUNT PICTURES]

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