I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Idealistic law student Roger Baron (a solid and likable performance by Robert Downey Jr.) gets a job as an assistant to his hero Eddie Dodd (superbly played with wired intensity by James Woods), a former radical 60's hippie civil rights activist turned cynical and disillusioned hack who ekes out a living going to bat for scumbag drug offenders. Dodd regains his faith and passion for his profession after Baron persuades him to take on an eight-year-old case involving wrongfully convicted killer Shuu Kai Kim (an excellent portrayal by Yuji Okumoto).Director Joseph Ruben keeps the riveting story moving along at a brisk pace, builds plenty of suspense, and makes fine use of gritty New York City locations. Wesley Strick's smart script tackles such weighty issues as redemption, abuse of authority, and deliberate miscarriages of justice done as a means to an end for serving the "greater good" in a bold head-on manner. The terrific supporting cast further ensures that this picture hums from start to finish: Margaret Colin as spunky private investigator Kitty Greer, Kurtwood Smith as hard-nosed district attorney Robert Reynard, Tom Bower as insane rattled witness Cecil Skell, Miguel Fernandes as tough and wormy ex-con Art Esparza, Charles Hallahan as sickly burn-out ex-cop Vincent Dennehy, Luis Guzman as fearsome felon Ortega, Misan Kim as the distraught Mrs. Kim, and Graham Beckel as the corrupt Detective Sklaroff. John Lindley's sharp cinematography provides an impressive polished look. Brad Friedel's dynamic jazzy score hits the stirring spot. Moreover, the electric presence of Woods and Dodd's deep-seated need to have a worthwhile cause in life give this film a tremendous amount of extra charge and resonance. An on the money winner.

This is a very well done court room drama that is based on an actual case from actual liberal left wing attorney, J. Tony Serra. James Woods plays the fictionalized version of Serra, under the name Eddie Dodd. Robert Downey, Jr. plays Roger Baron, a young idealistic lawyer that comes to clerk for the once famous Dodd- with dreams of defending civil liberties and making a difference. He arrives only to find the once rebellious and justice minded Dodd defending drug addicts and drug dealers. One evening a young Korean woman & lady come to his offices looking for help. Her son was sent to jail 8 years ago & is now accused of murder because of a prison fight that resulted in the death of a member of the Aryan army. Despite the fact it's not his area of "expertise," Roger convinces Dodd to take the case. For Dodd, this case, this young man, Shu Kai Kim played very well by Yuji Okumoto, represents so much more than just another case. Dodd himself is looking to reclaim his own enthusiasm, freedom and hope. The District Attorney is played very reliably by Kurtwood Smith (poor guy- pre "70's show" he always seemed to play a bad guy.)The main reason I like this movie are the actors. Yes, the story is somewhat predictable- but there are some turns that make you doubt who is innocent & who is guilty on first viewing. James Woods' performance in this movie is one of his most versatile and enjoyable. He transitions with ease from humorous sarcasm to an almost raw vulnerability. One of the best scenes is one in which he tells his client, "I know you're innocent- even if you've forgotten." After 8 years in prison, Shu isn't the same man he was when he went in. Just as Dodd tells Roger at the beginning of the movie that 10 years is a lot of time- in other words, despite his shinning past as a defender of civil liberties- he has also changed. Cynicism is something that creeps stealthily into everyone as age and time increase. In the movie "And Justice for All" they delve into the difficulty of being a defense lawyer & having to defend people you may know full well did a heinous crime of some sort. This has to change a person and that is part of what this movie is about. All the other actors, including Margaret Colin as the PI Kitty Greer, are believable and supply good support for the main character of Dodd. This is basically Woods' show, and that's okay with me since I'm a big fan of his. He was also fabulous in "Salvador" but then I think he is fabulous. If you like Woods, you'll like this movie I think - if you like a good story, I think you'll like this movie.

TRUE BELIEVER (1989) *** James Woods, Robert Downey Jr., Margaret Colin. Woods excels as a hippie liberal defense attorney (patterned after the legendary NYC defender William Kunstler) who gets a chance at redemption in the case of an young Asian man accused of cold blooded murder that opens a can of worms including corruption and a life lesson in ideals and dignity.

As a huge fan of Robert Downey, Jr. I anticipated this film for weeks when I heard it was on television. So, last Saturday night I turned on the TV and, I wasn't sorry.James Woods is in a great performance as Edward Dunn, a hotshot attorney who hires Roger Baron (Robert Downey, Jr.) to clerk for him. Woods defends a Korean whom's mother believes that he's been wrongly accused. But all the facts points to the Korean (Yuji Okumodo)...As I said, Woods is in a great performance, which unfortunately could have been much better had it not been for his wiggy hairdo. Downey is excellent, and you can actually feel his character's anticipation. You can also feel the coldness and bitterness of Okumodo's character. Kurtwood Smith is very interesting as Robert Reynard, and the rest of the cast are also in intruiging performances. The film is at some points very hard to follow, but overall this film could well be one of the best crime dramas of the late 1980's.