ridiculous rating

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I would have given "The Practice" a 10 out of 10 or at least a nine out of ten except for one thing, the last season. First let me talk about the good aspects of this show. Top notch cast and writing, excellent direction, crisp story lines and editing all combine together to make this an exceptional lawyer show. I really enjoyed the complex nature of the show as these professional lawyers struggle with ethical challenges that come with defending unscrupulous and deplorable clients. Yes, at times it got a little over used, but for the most part it enhanced the show immensely. For seven seasons I watch and admired this show for its daring bravado. However, in the last season they made a critical error, one that should be a cautionary tale to all television executives and producers. For whatever reason, contract disputes or orders from the top, the cast was literally gutted. Half of the top regulars, Bobby, Lindsey, Rebecca, and even Helen Gamble left the show. This had disastrous consequences. The remaining players did their best but this show was damaged beyond repair. To be fair, the introduction of James Spader as the silky snake attorney, Alan Shore, was a very welcome addition. Thankfully he was spun off to "Boston Legal". Still, he was not enough to salvage the rest of the show and it was just painful to watch the demise. Why do producers and directors of hit shows always squeeze the last drop out a show, when they know they should end it while its on top or at least not far from its prime? It is frustrating as all get out to me that they don't realize the obvious. Since they don't seem to even know what the word "obvious" means here is a list.(These are just a few. Go to "Jump the Shark" for a more complete list.)Obvious signs you should end your show. 1. If you lose a key character or half of your main cast. 2. If your show has been on longer than 4 presidential elections.(Ahem, Simpsons) 3. See Jump the Shark.com

The Practice is a neglected yet classic American Legal Drama Series. Over 8 seasons there are remarkably few poorly written episodes and those there are, come after Season 3.Looking at the series as a whole the main characters could be called consistently inconsistent. Their moral boundaries are malleable to the point that ultimately they have no morals at all. This could be considered systematic of the profession but more likely, it is the cause of having to find new story lines and motivations week after week.I assume that David E. Kelly realised his characters often professed morality as they tried to justify their immorality and seeing this paradox created the character of Alan Shore. Alan Shore sees the legal system for what it is, inherently corrupt, and unapologetically exploits that system. Apart from the brilliant performance by James Spader, this unapologetic manipulation of a rotten system is what makes the character of Alan Shore so refreshing. The final season leaps into new territory with the introduction of Alan Shore. Shore renders the earnest posturing of the regular characters in The Practice as irrelevant, cynical and ultimately unconvincing. There are two unforeseeable yet disturbing changes that occur during the seven year run of this legal show.The first observation is the confusion caused within the American Legal community after the passing of the USA PATRIOT Act. What appeared to be a broken yet workable set of rules suddenly, with the passing of this unconstitutional act, reduces the whole legal system to mere pretence as "beyond reasonable doubt" no longer holds any validity.The second unfortunate observation while watching the seasons in chronological order is the rapid alteration of the once beautiful Lara Flynn Boyle by way of plastic surgery. Episode by episode, her top lip changes in size, then it reduces again only to grow fatter yet again. Later her face alters almost beyond recognition as it has obviously been stretched and any natural movement and expression has been restricted. I for one, believe an actor should be required to grow old gracefully, allowing a history to be seen in the face. There is a barbed comment in the pilot episode of Boston Legal that considers the abuse of surgical enhancement. Could this remark be a veiled reference to Lara Flynn Boyle and her constantly altering features?I feel it is about time that the complete series of this excellent show should be released on DVD.

Often people tell me that The Practice was cheesy and that I'm stupid for liking it-the former is true but the latter is not.The practice was indeed cheesy but it was still quite unique as far as legal shows go. First of all, these were defense attorneys so you're given no reason to pity them, and secondly, they weren't exactly rich or well-respected, and most of the lawyers were ugly, average "losers". With this the show got a certain realistic quality, in that it didn't attempt to impress you with amazing and respectable characters, and instead it let you see what most legal firms are really like.Still David E. Kelley, as much as he tried not to spoonfeed anything to the viewer, wrote some of the cheesiest dialogue about the struggles of defense lawyers. Intelligent viewers shouldn't fall for it, although I can see why some people wouldn't be able to see the more positive aspects of this show.

I've just watched this series for the second time on UK TV. I want to watch it again. It should be played continuously.Great characters, superb actors. Great scripts, superb, well researched and topical story lines.The producers didn't shirk from tackling real and contentious issues.Bobby sitting alone in the office in the final episode, reminiscing, brought a tear to my eye.There should be more. Please that there will be more.David E Kelley is to telly what Jim Steinman is to music.Absolutely brilliant.Can anyone explain why it is that the defence sums up first with the prosecution getting the final word? Here in the UK it is the other way round - fairer for the defence I think.