From The Hip
Getting To The Top Means Working Like A Dog.
Judd Nelson stars in this '80's classic dramedy as Robin "Stormy" Weathers, an ambitious young attorney who shocks and impresses his new Boston law firm with his unconventional courtroom tactics. However, when he is assigned to a high-profile rape-murder case, he is forced to examine his ethics and career decision as he begins to suspect his own client's guilt.
Member Reviews
Horrid excuse for a comedy. Horrid excuse for a movie. - Max905
I have NO idea how this movie is sitting at 3.5 stars. It is terrible. Horrible. Nearly unwatchable. I rented it because I enjoy legally themed movies.
Where to start?
Firstly, the script. There are moments when it doesn't seem the actors are even reading from the same page. There is a moment when the protagonist's client is disclosing an inclination to terrible violence, yet a few moments later, David Allen Grier's character is making some flippant remark. The conversations between Nelson's character and his girlfriend are laughable -- and not in a good way. Granted, this may be a function of poor direction, so...
Secondly, the direction. With the exception of the accused murderer, every character is flat. Dialogue sounds more like monologues in sequence. When Nelson's character goes into rant mode in court, the departure from his root character is completely disingenuous.
I suppose all of these shortcomings could be forgiven if the movie was capable of maintaining the willing suspension of disbelief. Good comedies will do that. Think Planes, Trains and Automobiles: perfect timing and subtle exaggerations make for an A-class comedy. This movie never comes close. From the inane conversations between Nelson and his co-workers to ridiculously unbelievable interaction with his girlfriend to behaviour in court that would get any lawyer hauled before the Law Society in short order, no part of the movie ever rings true. (Never mind the *gross* ethical violation that is glossed over with a few lines of pillow talk.)
It is clear that From the Hip never knew what kind of movie it wanted to be and the actors' and director's confusion comes across all too clearly.
Avoid this movie at all costs.I wish it wasn't a comedy - mritt
Two words - courtroom and comedy. You don't often hear them together and its usually because they don't work together. In this case they do to a certain extent. Nelson and company pull it off due to some great performances and a plot which is somewhat predictable but keeps the action flowing briskly. As it is the film works well, but I just wish they had played it straight. Due to its subject matter it could have been an excellent courtroom thriller.
Member Reviews
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Horrid excuse for a comedy. Horrid excuse for a movie. - Max905
I have NO idea how this movie is sitting at 3.5 stars. It is terrible. Horrible. Nearly unwatchable. I rented it because I enjoy legally themed movies.
Where to start?
Firstly, the script. There are moments when it doesn't seem the actors are ...I wish it wasn't a comedy - mritt
Two words - courtroom and comedy. You don't often hear them together and its usually because they don't work together. In this case they do to a certain extent. Nelson and company pull it off due to some great performances and a plot which is somewhat predictable ...