Class Action

Starring: Gene Hackman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Laurence Fisburne
Directed by: Michael Apted
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Box Office: $24,277,858
1991

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: In the courtroom, a major case about a defective automobile part that resulted in fatalities is argued by a father (Gene Hackman), representing the plaintiff, and his daughter (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), representing the defendent, a large car manufacturer. The battle rages both in and out of the courtroom as the lawyers' family is on the verge of collapsing.

Review:

Tim: I really like legal dramas, and this film looked to be a whopper. However, as I watched it, I realized it was less a courtroom drama, and more of a family one. The father-daughter story between Hackman and Mastrantonio is at the heart of the film and the legal matter is piled up around it. This somewhat dysfunctional family captures the entire movie as you watch them balance between reconciliation and completely falling apart. This aspect of the film succeeds most when you realize the family seems completely distance, yet somehow close as well. It's very interesting.

Make no mistake, this is indeed a law film, and there's enough of this aspect to satisfy any fan of legal dramas. Class Action succeeds in inter-weaving these two different apects together. The case itself is very interesting and a contemporary issue. Viewers love to see the little guy take on the huge, wealthy corporation (like in A Civil Action and Runaway Jury). This film offers all of that. It is indeed the classic underdog story.

The film is not without its flaws. Oftentimes the family drama seems to take up more of the storyline than you wish it did. The struggles between father and daughter can tend to get frustrating, and you'd rather see them duke it out in the courtroom.

Class Action has a very good cast, but I was somewhat unimpressed with the performances. Hackman is always a good casting choice, and he does a good job here, but at times seems too blase for the role. Mastrantonio at various points in the movie absolutely sparkles, but other times, she's just there. Laurence Fishburne was excellent in a smaller role, although I wish he would have played a larger part in the film.

In the end, Class Action suffers from some identity crisis between a father/daughter drama and a legal drama, and somewhat less-than-spectacular performances pull this movie down a few notches. It is still worth seeing, however.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: A Civil Action, Runaway Jury, Philadelphia, A Few Good Men