Legal Relief

About this time, I need some relief from the long days studying while still managing to bone-up on the law.  So, while some may be avid fans of legal shows, I am an avid fan of movies about the law. . .

Absence of Malice

Paul Newman and Sally Field play a public figure thrust into the limelight and a news reporter hot on the trail of a story, respectively.  To protect the newspaper from a defamation lawsuit, the legal counsel for the newspaper determines that there is an absence of malice in the published report, a critical element to prove defamation against a media defendant.

Jagged Edge

Glenn Close plays a top criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco, defending a news man played by Jeff Bridges, from a murder charge.  Evidence objections are liberally banded about at trial; great courtroom scenes!

And Justice for All

Al Pacino and others on this fantastic cast are either lawyers, judges or criminals, most of whom have lost their compassion for others.  Playing a defense attorney, Al balances his empathy for people against his respect for the law, while a state bar ethic's commission monitors his ethics.

Flash of Genius

The inventor of intermittent windshield wipers sues Ford for patent infringement and credit for the inventor's idea.  Robert Kerns represents himself at trial and wins back his inventor's "badge" and a few million besides, in this true story about one man fighting a corporation and achieving justice.

Your additions to this list would be appreciated!