It's an "American justice is corrupt" legal drama set in the late 1970s in Baltimore, Maryland. The title comes from part of the American Pledge of Allegiance. It follows an experienced but volatile lawyer, Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino), in three legal cases. Kirkland's partners, Jay Porter (Jeffrey Tambor) and Warren Fresnell (Larry Bruggman), intersect with his activities at various times. Kirkland's grandfather, Sam (Lee Strasberg), and girlfriend, Gail Packer (Christine Lahti), provide further context for his impulsive actions. He relates to two judges in the film, Henry T. Fleming (John Forsythe) and Francis Rayford (Jack Warden).
The film shows two of Kirkland's clients suffering at the hands of the justice system, and his internal conflict at taking a case defending Judge Fleming.
Al Pacino provides a dramatic and unforgettable performance in a film with a very uneven script. At times, "And Justice for All" launches into a satire of the justice system, but is never funny enough to succeed. At other times, very crisp and dramatic dialogue is bang on. Some scenes are silly and irrelevant, e.g., the helicopter ride with Judge Rayford, and detract from the film's impact. Other parts are poorly written, like Kirkland's interview with the ethics committee. But Pacino holds it all together. Nobody else comes close.
The film shows two of Kirkland's clients suffering at the hands of the justice system, and his internal conflict at taking a case defending Judge Fleming.
Al Pacino provides a dramatic and unforgettable performance in a film with a very uneven script. At times, "And Justice for All" launches into a satire of the justice system, but is never funny enough to succeed. At other times, very crisp and dramatic dialogue is bang on. Some scenes are silly and irrelevant, e.g., the helicopter ride with Judge Rayford, and detract from the film's impact. Other parts are poorly written, like Kirkland's interview with the ethics committee. But Pacino holds it all together. Nobody else comes close.