There doesn’t seem to be any aspect of our world that hasn’t found itself as part of a major motion picture. No subject is off limits in Hollywood. There have been many movies over the years that delve into the world of law, portraying true life stories or just amusing looks at the judiciary system in this country.

Lawyers are not always seen as the heroes, on the contrary often times they are made out to be the greedy bad guys, but that is not always the case. The following movies all revolve around the law and are the personal favorites at our New Jersey personal injury law firm.

Erin Brockovich

Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finner, David Brisbin

Summary: This portrayal of the true life events of Erin Brockovich (Roberts) follows the single mother as she struggles to support her family. After she loses a lawsuit against a doctor that caused a car accident she was in she convinces her lawyer to give her a job at his law firm. Her untamed attitude and provocative dress make it difficult for people to take Brockovich seriously, but she proves everyone wrong when she comes across documents leading to one of the biggest class action lawsuits in U.S. history. As she digs through the suspicious real estate case that involved Pacific Gas & Electric Company she finds that the company is trying to cover up a huge scheme. It is the tale of a single mother trying to do what’s best for her children and discovering her true passion and calling in the process.

My Cousin Vinny

Starring: Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Ralph Macchio

Summary: Two college students from New York, Bill Gambini (Macchio) and Stanley Rothenstein (Mitchell Whitfield) suddenly when they find themselves accused of a murder they didn’t commit. In their time of need they seek the help of one of Bill’s cousin, an inexperienced lawyer named Vincent Laguardia Gambini (Pesci). When Gambini and his long-time girlfriend Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei) arrive in Alabama they quickly realize just how different things are in the south. It is revealed that it took Gambini six years to bass his bar exam and up until this trial he had only tried personal injury cases that never went to court. In this comedic view of the judicial system the audience will follow Gambini as his discovers his true legal talent as he tries to save the two young men’s lives while trying to stay on the good side of Judge Chamberlain Haller (Fred Gwynne).

The Verdict

Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden

Summary: Frank Galvin (Newman) is a lawyer who has lost the drive to be a respectable lawyer. He turned to drinking an ambulance chasing until his former associate Mickey Morrissey (Warden) hands him an easy case. The case involves medical malpractice and it seems to be a no brainer with all parties involved willing to settle the case without going to trial. When he begins working on the case he realizes that his clients deserve justice, and with much resistance he decides the case should go to court. It is one man’s journey to restoring his honor as a lawyer and making sure justice is served and guilty parties are held accountable.

A Few Good Men

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore

Summary: This film follows Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Cruise) who as a lawyer has never entered a courtroom. In all of his previous cases he sought to settle out of court with a plea agreement until he is representing two Marine that are charged with the murder of a fellow soldier. Kaffee teams up with Cmdr. Galloway (Moore) and Lt. Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak) and as they investigate the murder Kaffee realizes that he may actually be cut out for the court room. As the case progresses the role of Col. Nathan Jessep (Nicholson) becomes more and more curious. This legal thriller uncovers the disheartening practices of the Marine Corps and begs the question when is ‘just following orders’ not an acceptable defense.

The Client

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Renfro

Summary: Mark Sway (Renfro,) a young kid, is told by attorney Jerome Clifford, who was representing a prominent Mafia hit-man, where the body of Senator Boyd Boyette is buried before Clifford commits suicide. Suddenly Sway is hunted by the Mafia and the FBI for the information he possesses, but he’s not talking. He decides he needs to seek the help of a lawyer and Reggie Love (Sarandon) takes the case for just the few dollars Sway has in his pocket. It is the tale of one boy and one lawyer’s journey together to uncover the truth and protect the boy’s life.

These movies all portrayed the world of law in a different manner, allowing the audience to see past the misconceptions. Some of them made us laugh and some inspired us and reminded us that there are good people in the world. The judicial system is surrounded by stereotypes and misbeliefs, especially personal injury law. It seems that movies are a good way of dispelling those beliefs.