zBoneman.com -- Home Movie Reviews

A Civil Action (1999)

A Civil Action
". . then there's exhibit A 'the Boot' - clearly the defendant's foot-size contradicts the witness's testimony regarding my client's . . . thingy."

Starring:

John Travolta

Released By:

Touchstone

Released In:

1999

Rated:

PG-13

Reviewed By:

Adam Mast

Grade:

B-
2009 Movie Reviews
2008 Movie Reviews
2007 Movie Reviews
2006 Movie Reviews
2005 Movie Reviews
2004 Movie Reviews
2003 Movie Reviews
2002 Movie Reviews
2001 Movie Reviews
2000 Movie Reviews
1999 Movie Reviews
1998 Movie Reviews

During the 90's, Steven Zallian has emerged as one of my favorite screenwriters, with such scripts as Awakenings and Schindler's List to his credit. In 1993, he made a stunning directorial debut with the wonderfully touching Searching for Bobby Fischer. Unfortunately, his sophomore effort is not as effective.

John Travolta plays a lawyer who takes on a case dealing with tainted water. Before too long, he finds himself emotionally involved with families he's hired to represent. The film opens amid a powerful courtroom scene with biting dialogue, but as it progresses, it loses this momentum and becomes bogged down by tedium.

Surprisingly, it's the case itself that drags the film down. What propels it beyond you're run-of-the-mill clich-ridden John Grisham flick, is the compelling indictment of the law itself.

Travolta is competent, but far from breathtaking. In fact, it's the supporting performances of Robert Duvall, William H. Macy and James Gandolfini that drive the film. Zallian does his best with the material, but in the end, it's not as memorable as it should be. Sidney Lumet's Night Falls on Manhattan left a more lasting impression. At times, A Civil Action is an unblinking examination of how the justice system works--something I haven't seen before.

:: zBoneman.com Reader Comments ::

Add Your Own Comment
Dustin

Dustin

QUESTIONS:

1. Who were the plaintiff(s) in this case?

2. By what method did the plantiff(s) contact the law firm?

3. What was the injury?

4. Was it difficult for the plaintiff(s) and the representing law firm to distinguish who were the actual defendants? If so, why?

5. According to Schlichtmann, what must a defendant "have" to be a party to a lawsuit?

6. After research, who were found to be the defendants?

7. Did you agree with the selection of the parties named in the lawsuit? State your reason(s).

STAGES OF A LAWSUIT

Stage 1: Pleadings Stage

8. The 'complaint' was sent to _________________ and _________________.

9. In response to the complaint, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss based on what law?

10. How did the court (judge) rule on this motion?

11. What 'answer' to the complaint was given by the defendant's attorneys?

12. Did the defendants issue a counterclaim?

Stage 2: Discovery Stage

13. What tool(s) of the discovery process were used in this case?

14. Who were the parties involved in this process and give a brief explanation of what took place.

15. What types of information was accessed by the plaintiff as a result of 'orders for the production of documents'?

16. The discovery process can impose a substantial impact on the parties involved in a lawsuit. What 'impact' was especially emphasized in this case?

Stage 3: Pretrial Stage

17. What was discussed in the pretrial conference?

18. Who was present in the pretrial conference?

19. Did either party move for 'summary judgment'?

Stage 4: Trial Stage

20. Briefly discuss the plaintiff's opening statement.

21. Briefly discuss the defendant's opening statement.

22. The plaintiff's presentation of direct evidence consisted of what?

23. After the plaintiff's presentation of direct evidence, what occurred?

24. Why was this not a surprise to Schlichtmann?

25. Did the judge agree?

26. What was conducted and how?

27. As a result, which defendant was exonerated/excused from the case?

28. Prior to this decision, did either of the defendants offer to settle?

Remedies Available in Civil Litigation:

29. Most civil disputes are settled outside the court system. Was this case settled and if so for how much?

30. Were the plaintiff(s) satisfied with the outcome of the trial/settlement and if not, what would have satisfied them?

Stage 5 Appellate Stage

31. Which administrative agency did Schlichtmann contact in regard to the case?

32. How and why did he contact this agency? (In other words, why did he not pursue the case further?)

33. What were the end results?

Stage 6 Enforcement Stage

Was there any mention of the party seeking to implement the court's judgment?

If so, how was it carried out?

Dustin

Dustin

I have many questions on the movie if someone would help me answer them i would be very thankful. Email answers to Thanks Dustin

QUESTIONS:

1. Who were the plaintiff(s) in this case?

2. By what method did the plantiff(s) contact the law firm?

3. What was the injury?

4. Was it difficult for the plaintiff(s) and the representing law firm to distinguish who were the actual defendants? If so, why?

5. According to Schlichtmann, what must a defendant "have" to be a party to a lawsuit?

6. After research, who were found to be the defendants?

7. Did you agree with the selection of the parties named in the lawsuit? State your reason(s).

STAGES OF A LAWSUIT

Stage 1: Pleadings Stage

8. The 'complaint' was sent to _________________ and _________________.

9. In response to the complaint, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss based on what law?

10. How did the court (judge) rule on this motion?

11. What 'answer' to the complaint was given by the defendant's attorneys?

12. Did the defendants issue a counterclaim?

Stage 2: Discovery Stage

13. What tool(s) of the discovery process were used in this case?

14. Who were the parties involved in this process and give a brief explanation of what took place.

15. What types of information was accessed by the plaintiff as a result of 'orders for the production of documents'?

16. The discovery process can impose a substantial impact on the parties involved in a lawsuit. What 'impact' was especially emphasized in this case?

Stage 3: Pretrial Stage

17. What was discussed in the pretrial conference?

18. Who was present in the pretrial conference?

19. Did either party move for 'summary judgment'?

Stage 4: Trial Stage

20. Briefly discuss the plaintiff's opening statement.

21. Briefly discuss the defendant's opening statement.

22. The plaintiff's presentation of direct evidence consisted of what?

23. After the plaintiff's presentation of direct evidence, what occurred?

24. Why was this not a surprise to Schlichtmann?

25. Did the judge agree?

26. What was conducted and how?

27. As a result, which defendant was exonerated/excused from the case?

28. Prior to this decision, did either of the defendants offer to settle?

Remedies Available in Civil Litigation:

29. Most civil disputes are settled outside the court system. Was this case settled and if so for how much?

30. Were the plaintiff(s) satisfied with the outcome of the trial/settlement and if not, what would have satisfied them?

Stage 5 Appellate Stage

31. Which administrative agency did Schlichtmann contact in regard to the case?

32. How and why did he contact this agency? (In other words, why did he not pursue the case further?)

33. What were the end results?

Stage 6 Enforcement Stage

Was there any mention of the party seeking to implement the court's judgment?

If so, how was it carried out?

Chandler Watkins

Chandler Watkins

Is there anyway you can help me with these question also?

[Thu Mar 12th, 2009]
Add your own comment here and see it posted immediately!