I was quite astounded/disappointed to find that the general consensus among professional media critics for this film, to be rather less than average (48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes)
Yes, this family drama does have its fair share of cliched scenes that have been done to death elsewhere. Which is all very well if you've seen those films. But if you haven't, or simply don't care for such snobbery, then this film is still far more worthy and compelling, not least for the outstanding acting performances from Duvall and Downey Jr.
I guess it would have been nice to have learned more about the breakdown between Hank (Downey Jr) and his wife leading to a divorce. All we get is about 3 or 4 minutes with them arguing at the beginning of the film, and then we never see his wife again!
Similarly Hank's brief flirtation with Carla (the daughter of Hank's ex girlfriend). We see her in a couple of tangible scenes, but then she too is dropped, never to be seen of again.
But those are very minor points. What was hugely enjoyable was Hank's difficulty with adjusting to his family's way of life in small-town America. And in particular his fractured relationship with his dad (Duvall) and two brothers.
The courtroom drama with Hank defending his own father (a well-respected former judge in the town), against charges of murder and manslaughter after an RTA, were well done, but very much secondary to the story as a whole.
The final scenes were predictable, but nicely done for all that. And the moments in the empty courtroom with Hank spinning the chair belonging to his father is compelling, not least for the excellent song from Bon Iver, called Holocene. The lyrics of which infer that the world does not revolve around you and your ego!
Which is a good metaphor for Hank, who considers himself a big-shot lawyer, with an ego to match where he lives in Chicago. But being such a big place you're still fairly anonymous. Whereas returning to his home town, along with building a few bridges, could well mean he make a big and positive difference not just for himself but for those around him.
Yes, this family drama does have its fair share of cliched scenes that have been done to death elsewhere. Which is all very well if you've seen those films. But if you haven't, or simply don't care for such snobbery, then this film is still far more worthy and compelling, not least for the outstanding acting performances from Duvall and Downey Jr.
I guess it would have been nice to have learned more about the breakdown between Hank (Downey Jr) and his wife leading to a divorce. All we get is about 3 or 4 minutes with them arguing at the beginning of the film, and then we never see his wife again!
Similarly Hank's brief flirtation with Carla (the daughter of Hank's ex girlfriend). We see her in a couple of tangible scenes, but then she too is dropped, never to be seen of again.
But those are very minor points. What was hugely enjoyable was Hank's difficulty with adjusting to his family's way of life in small-town America. And in particular his fractured relationship with his dad (Duvall) and two brothers.
The courtroom drama with Hank defending his own father (a well-respected former judge in the town), against charges of murder and manslaughter after an RTA, were well done, but very much secondary to the story as a whole.
The final scenes were predictable, but nicely done for all that. And the moments in the empty courtroom with Hank spinning the chair belonging to his father is compelling, not least for the excellent song from Bon Iver, called Holocene. The lyrics of which infer that the world does not revolve around you and your ego!
Which is a good metaphor for Hank, who considers himself a big-shot lawyer, with an ego to match where he lives in Chicago. But being such a big place you're still fairly anonymous. Whereas returning to his home town, along with building a few bridges, could well mean he make a big and positive difference not just for himself but for those around him.