X
- 1998
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 55 m
- 1998
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 55 m
Summary A tenacious young lawyer (Travolta) is confronted with the case of a lifetime in this unbelievable real-life story.
Directed By: Steven Zaillian
Written By: Jonathan Harr, Steven Zaillian
- 1998
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 55 m
- 1998
- PG-13
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 55 m
A Civil Action
68
7.7
Where to Watch
Summary A tenacious young lawyer (Travolta) is confronted with the case of a lifetime in this unbelievable real-life story.
Directed By: Steven Zaillian
Written By: Jonathan Harr, Steven Zaillian
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 26 Critic Reviews
68
62% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
38% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 26 Critic Reviews
68
62% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
38% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The convergence of storytelling mastery, acting virtuosity and star power makes A Civil Action one of the greatest films of the year.
Civil Action is like John Grisham for grownups.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 72 User Ratings
7.7
71% Positive
51 Ratings
51 Ratings
19% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
10% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 72 User Ratings
7.7
71% Positive
51 Ratings
51 Ratings
19% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
10% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
One of John Travolta's last films worth loving before the dreadful Battlefield Earth came and ruined the poor guy's career. I bet he's doing alright by now.
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A Civil Action proves to be a solid legal drama, and that's mostly thanks to its stellar characters, who are played with quiet control by some talented actors.
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This is Hollywood expertise and Hollywood civic idealism at high levels.
A well-chewed gumbo of every lawyer flick you’ve ever seen.
Takes an unexpected turn towards originality where every other "David vs. Goliath-courtroom drama" only strives.
All the ingredients are here for both a smashing courtroom drama and a legitimate tearjerker, but the film ultimately doesn't have the technique or the heart to deliver either.
A slick, shameless job that takes way too long to make its point.
It's a good movie and I went back-and-forth between giving this a 7 or 8, but ultimately chose an 8. Travolta is good in the lead role and Macy is great in his supporting role as well. Being that the movie is based on a true story, the empathy you feel for the plaintiffs is certainly more powerful and I think that really helps the film along. Robert Duvall was also great in his role as the defense attorney.
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Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Political Film Society, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
