A Civil Action is a thinking person's film, featuring an understated and brilliant performance by Robert Duvall; fine ensemble acting by Tony Shaloub, William H. Macy, and David Thornton; and an elegant script by the director, Steven Zaillian. Even John Travolta, who can at times seem callow, turns in a fine performance. The film is about the courtroom battle waged by Jan Schlichtmann and his associates against W.R.Grace Corporation and Beatrice Foods for their involvement in the pollution of a town's water supply and the resulting epidemic of leukemia that struck the children of that town, Woburn, Mass. Schlichtmann enters the case smelling a huge payday, but slowly begns to feel a sense of outrage at the behavior of the companies. He eventually risks every dollar he and his partners have to bring the case to trial. The character that stands out is Robert Duvall's Jerry Facher (the lead attorney for Beatrice). Duvall creates a folksy and frightening juxtaposition of down-home aphorisms and cutthroat instinct. A truly scary man, just because he is likable. All around this, is a fine film and sure to be an Oscar contender. Look for nominations for Duvall and Zaillian for sure.
Review of A Civil Action
