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MOVIES / ON DVD / A CIVIL ACTION
A Civil Action

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A Civil Action (1998)

79%
100%
68%
N/A
N/A
N/A
79 %
Reviews Counted: 48 Fresh: 38  Rotten:10 Average Rating: 7/10
 
Consensus: Intelligent and unconventional.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Synopsis: Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious young lawyer, is confronted with the litigation of a lifetime in this unbelievable real-life story. Several families in the small town of Woburn, Massachusetts, have suffered the tragic losses of their children to the rare cancer known as leukemia. After... Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious young lawyer, is confronted with the litigation of a lifetime in this unbelievable real-life story. Several families in the small town of Woburn, Massachusetts, have suffered the tragic losses of their children to the rare cancer known as leukemia. After having their claim rejected by most law firms in town, these citizens approach Schlichtmann with the possibility that the deaths of their children may have had to do with Woburn's drinking water supply being contaminated by a couple of local businesses. The rub lies in the fact that these businesses are offshoots of two of the most powerful national corporations in the country! Schlichtmann must push his skill and craftiness as a lawyer to the limit in order to oust his opponents, who are working with a limitless bankroll. Based on the great fact-based novel. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Stephen Fry, James Gandolfini, Dan Hedaya

Director: Steven Zaillian
Story: Jonathan Harr
Producer: Robert Redford, Rachel Pfeffer, Scott Rudin
Composer: Danny Elfman

DVD Info

Release:

Apr 3, 2003

[DVD Details]
  • A Civil Action
  • Jan Schlichtmann is a cynical, high-priced personal injury attorney who only takes big-money cases he can safely settle out of court. Though his latest case at first appears straightforward, Schlichtmann soon becomes entangled in an epic legal battle ... one where he's willing to put his career, reputation, and all that he owns on the line for the rights of his clients! Also featuring Robert Duvall, William H. Macy, and John Lithgow -- this gripping, widely acclaimed hit delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

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    02/09/06
    Time Out
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    N/R

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    03/05/02
    Stella Bruzzi
    Sight and Sound
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    4/5

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    04/17/01
    Almar Haflidason
    BBC
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    9/10

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    01/01/00
    Ian Waldron-Mantgani
    UK Critic
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    3/5

    The movie becomes one more David-and-Goliath morality play.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    07/30/07
    Rob Gonsalves
    eFilmCritic.com
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    3/4

    Based on a true story, this is an intelligent legal thriller, very much in the mode of 1970s issue-oriented films, that may be too subtle and complex for the damands of today's market.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    06/01/06
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com
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    3/5

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    12/06/05
    Film Threat
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    N/R

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    04/09/05
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews
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    5/10

    the film is slightly overlong and the ending is anti-cathartic.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/28/05
    Dragan Antulov
    Draxblog Movie Reviews
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    B

    ... hints at the complex moral issues that vein the story.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/05/05
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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    3.5/4

    A legal drama that doesn't follow the usual Hollywood-John Grisham formula.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    07/06/04
    Judith Egerton
    Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
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    N/A

    neatly avoids slipping into melodrama, and despite plenty of niggling minor faults along the way the movie finally succeeds. With a more comfortably cast lead actor it could have been even more powerful.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    07/31/03
    James Sanford
    Kalamazoo Gazette
    N/R

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    05/22/03
    Eugene Novikov
    Film Blather
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    2/4

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    05/14/03
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Palo Alto Weekly
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    4/5

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    02/08/03
    John R. McEwen
    Film Quips Online
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    3/5

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    12/08/02
    Film Threat
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    4.5/5

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    11/07/02
    James Rocchi
    Netflix
    N/R

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    11/06/02
    Jeff Strickler
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
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    10/15/02
    Margaret A. McGurk
    Cincinnati Enquirer
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    2.5/4

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    08/21/02
    Marty Mapes
    Movie Habit
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