Impressive thriller (Devil's Advocate (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Devil's Advocate (DVD)
Date:	19/09/09 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pacino's presence

Disadvantages: Reeves can be a bit wooden

note: also appears in part on Flixster and The Student Room

The Devil's Advocate revolves around Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a hotshot young lawyer who has never lost a case, however he is also unscrupulous, defending clients that he near enough knows are guilty, such as a child molester. Through his sheer skill as a counsel, he is able to scare the accusing girl during a cross-examination, causing her facts to seem confused, causing the paedophile to walk free. After this, as he celebrates another successful case, he is approached by John Milton (Al Pacino), a partner in a large law firm and offers him a position, in which he would stand to make a lot more money. Without thinking, he takes the position, not realising what he's gotten himself into.

What's first apparent is the personal strain - his work success in the big city means that he spends less time with his wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), who is going through the stages of depression. Milton, playing Devil's Advocate, offers him the choice of stepping down from the sinful big city life and attending to his wife, but he refuses, blinded seemingly by greed, although this is something he comes to learn is wrong once put through the wringer rather ceremoniously by Milton.

This is a clever film that makes the most of Pacino's brilliant screen presence to depict him as someone of great stature, the Devil no less. Reeves is also pretty good, and one of the few roles where he really tries to bang out a decent performance. Charlize Theron is also great as the depressed, suicidal wife.

This film is evidence that Keanu Reeves can act when he wants to. Pacino as the Devil is a masterful touch, and the storyline is as engrossing as it is original.

Summary: Pacino carries this film