Directed by Taylor Hackford
Running Time: 2:23
Why is is that lawyers and hell always seem to go together? I don't know (as a law student) whether to be offended by that, or proud of it. Keanu Reeves stars as Kevin Lomax, a Florida defense attorney who has never lost a case. This catches the eye of one John Milton (Al Pacino), who hires Lomax to be the criminal lawyer in his huge law firm in New York City. Milton offers Lomax and his wife Mary Anne (Charlize Theron) everything in the world. A huge apartment overlooking Central Park. A huge office, money, and most importantly to Lomax, the chance to become the top criminal attorney in the world. Lomax wins his first case with ease, then a triple homicide falls into his lap. This is the case that could set him apart from the rest. But does he take the case and reach heights he has never before seen? Or does he back away, and take care of his wife? I have never seen a better portrayal of a descent in hell better that the one Theron gives in this movie. She knows something about Milton that Lomax can't (or doesn't want to) see. And watching her go from being a beautiful woman who loves her husband and loves her new life in New York, to someone who descends into a living hell was spectacular. Is Milton the Devil in disguise? And if so, what does he want with Lomax? Al Pacino gives a very powerful performance as Milton. I think it's his best performance since his Oscar winning turn in Scent of a Woman . And even though I generally hate Keanu Reeves as an actor, he does a commendable job as a lawyer caught between the Devil's gifts and God's love. The best thing about the movie was that you never really knew what was going to happen next. And the ending will surprise, and even shock you. I would highly recommend seeing Devil's Advocate .
