Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageCriminal Law (1989)
Director: Martin Campbell
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
After winning an acquittal for wealthy client Martin Thiel (Bacon), defence attorney Ben Chase (Oldman) discovers that he is in fact guilty of rape and murder. Will the attorney follow the advice of his fellow professional - 'Justice is for God' - or use privileged knowledge to expose Thiel? Given the basic plot, behind-camera talent and cast, the film should be better than it is. Martin Campbell (who directed the superb Edge of Darkness for television) uses tight frames and a sense of restlessness to convey tension, but this makes for uneasy viewing when combined with Mark Kasdan's overwrought script. A crude, confused psychology operates here: Thiel blames everything on Mother, and a conscience-stricken Chase turns homicidal while his old mentor offers quiet advice from the death-bed.Author: CM
Cast & crew
Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Robert Maclean, Hilary Heath
Cast: Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Karen Young, Joe Don Baker, Tess Harper, Ron Lea, Karen Woolridge, Elizabeth Sheppard full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 118 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
A Farewell To Tartan Films
To mourn the loss of the great Tartan Films, Time Out remembers a few of the best films to emerge from their impressive canon
Jason Bateman: interview
Jason Bateman – star of ‘Hancock’, alongside Will Smith – talks to Time Out about his comic influences and how to pretend to throw a car
Ten Great Head Shots In The Movies
Lots of people get shot in the head in the new film 'Wanted'. Read our guide to some other great head shots on film
Set visit: 'The Damned United'
Dave Calhoun gets his training kit on as he visits the set of a new film about football legend Brian Clough’s torrid spell at Leeds United in the mid-1970s
What do you think?
Post your review now