04 July 2010

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)


Trailer

Get off the panties. You've done enough damage.
So basically: Jimmy Stewart plays small town lawyer Paul Biegler who is hired by Mrs Manion to defend her husband after he murdered the man who beat and raped her. After deciding to take the job, Biegler is locked in a battle of wits with the defence attorney, with even the audience unsure of whether or not the accused is trustworthy.

Jimmy Stewart is absolutely awesome in the role of Paul Biegler. I can't think of anyone else who could have played him without making the movie a serious one. Of course, the subject matter is pretty serious, but the film itself is still comical, without becoming a farce. I don't think any other leading man could have done that. Judge Weaver is a welcome inclusion to the already comical movie and he makes the courtroom scenes come alive. He's defs one of the most well-written characters in the movies. I'm not sure what to think of Laura, whether she's telling the truth or not, which I guess is the appeal of her character. Myself? I don't think she was raped, just because of the way she acted afterwards. She was still calm and readily able to talk about it. I don't know why her husband would keep to her story if it wasn't true, tho. Mabbs he did trust his wife.

This is defs one of the better movies I've seen, and I'm not one for court dramas. So yes, this deserves all the "prestige" and, if anything, should be higher on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

2 comments:

  1. ...get off the panties, you've done enough damage? I am disturbed and intrigued.

    Wow, that sounds like a super cool plot. This one makes my personal list for sure.

    It's comical? I was totally picturing some dramatic, serious movie. That makes it even cooler. Definitely watching this one.

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  2. It's the best line evs, you know it's tru!

    YEY! And there's Jimmy Stewart! <3 I will so watch this with you.

    Totes! Psh, nado

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