A Simple Murder Trial

Author(s): George

Location: Atlanta

"A Simple Murder Trial"

Written and Directed by: Tony Gilroy
Music by: James Horner

Main Cast

Thomas Kretschmann as Jack Jacobs
Dennis Quaid as Richard Malcolm
Zachary Quinto as Zach Hollywood
Casey Affleck as Ryan Filmore
Michael Gambon as The Judge
Maggie Smith as Witness
Michael Sheen as Ron
Elias Koteas as Al
Amy Adams as Laura
Tom Wilkinson as Archie
Derek Luke as Mitch
Michelle Williams as Rachel
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Alice
Stephen Fry as Richard
Peter Krause as Donald
Emile Hirsch as Lawrence
Billy Zane as John

Tagline: "Is Anything Ever Simple?"

Synopsis: In the courtroom…

Sleazy lawyer Jack Jacobs is defending a man charged with murder. Zach Hollywood confessed that he did actually commit the crime to Jacobs when Jacobs took the case. Jacobs took the case anyway and thinks he’s about to win it. Hollywood also wanted his friend to go to jail for not helping him with murder, so he decided to say that his best friend Ryan Filmore was his accomplice. Lawyer Richard Malcolm is defending Ryan, Ryan told Malcolm that he was innocent and Malcolm took his case. Jacobs presents his evidence first, trying to tell the jury how Zach is innocent and how Ryan committed the murder. When Zach is called to the stand, he lies under oath and says he’s innocent. Malcolm cross-examines Zach and makes him sweat a little bit, but not much. After Zach goes down from the stand Ryan goes up to it. Malcolm pleads his case that Ryan is innocent and Zach is the murderer. Jacobs goes up to cross-examine Ryan and Ryan wavers a little bit under his intense questioning. Ryan steps down and witness to the murder comes in, but she doesn’t really help with either person’s case. The jury goes in to decide…
In the jury room…

The jury talks about the trial and who is innocent and who is guilty. When Ron asks them to raise their hands for Zach to be innocent it’s a 6 to 6 vote. The six people who think Zach is innocent are John (who fell asleep halfway through the trial), a very cranky man named Archie, Richard (who just wants to go home), a “gangsta” named Mitch, and Al who (revealed in flashbacks) was bribed by Jacobs to side in his favor. The six who think Zach is guilty are Ron, Donald, Alice, Rachel, Laura, and Lawrence. Ron slowly persuades them that Zach is guilty while Al tries to persuade them that Zach is innocent. Soon, everyone has sided with Ron except Mitch and Al. Mitch hates rich white people like Ryan and Al can just see that money. When Mitch finally sides with Ron, Al reluctantly sides with him too because he knows it is the right thing to do.
In the courtroom…

When Ron announces that Zach is guilty and Ryan is innocent, Malcolm and Ryan and extremely happy and go out of the courtroom. The jury leaves and Al is the last to go. Jacobs gets his gun out from his coat and tries to shoot Al, but is so enraged he shoots the wall behind him. The cops see this and shoot Jacobs dead. They ask Al why he tried to shoot. Al says he has no idea.

What the Press would say:

It’s not just 12 ANGRY MEN, or just ANATOMY OF A MURDER, but an interesting and overall engrossing mix that keeps the audience guessing and entranced. With semi-unknown director Tony Gilroy at the helm (most known for his impressive directorial debut in MICHAEL CLAYTON) he makes the film interesting in seemingly bleak settings with dynamite performances from an ensemble cast that plays off of each other successfully and with passion. There are no mega stars in this like George Clooney, but many known character actors like Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Stephen Fry. Also it has rising stars that like Amy Adams and Emile Hirsch, who give impressive turns also. The film doesn’t really have a focal point, and the story is spread out in flashbacks of some of he characters. It is for this reason that the film turns out to be gripping and exciting even with no violent action until the end of the film. The film is called A SIMPLE MURDER TRIAL, and because of that it explores every aspect of a murder trial. Not just the prosecution and not just the jury either. With such a great cast you would think there are a couple of stand out performances, and there are. Thomas Kretschmann ends up becoming a big part of the film and his over bearing presence can be felt even in the jury room. Of the jury, Elias Koteas not only has the most interesting character, but also provides the best performance as well. His love of self-preservation is in conflict with the greater good, and is apparent in all of his actions even down to the bare mannerisms.

The film is able to succeed were little films have before. Interesting and wonderful developments for every character in the film with an amazing script also penned by Gilroy . James Horner’s underscore is perfect for the feel of the film, and can only really be heard if you listen closely. Sure the film does not leave much to the imagination, but it is almost like how a trial is done. The story or evidence is presented and it is up to you to make your jugdements. The film is engrossing gripping and pleasing not only to the average viewer, but to the experienced critic also.

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor (Elias Koteas)
Best Director ( Gilroy )
Best Screenplay ( Gilroy )
Best Cinematography
Best Editing