Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Playing The Expression, 3 Jan 2005
Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) is a success in the courtroom and out of it. He's a young Florida defense attorney who has never lost a case. No matter how repugnant the crime, no matter how guilty the defendant, Kevin Lomax has the power to mesmerize the jury into accepting his arguments, buying into his logic, being convinced by his charisma; and freeing his clients. Soon after he has successfully won the case, where he defended an obviously guilty child molester, Lomax is invited to New York, where a powerful law firm has become aware of the Florida hotshot's acquittal record. Here he meets John Milton (Al Pacino), the founder and head of "Milton, Chadewick, Waters", a mysterious and powerful law firm with contacts and clients all over the world. It is this charismatic and charming man that opens the door to a completely different world; a world of luxury and pleasure, wealth and power; a world of endless possibilities. This is heaven on earth. But as Lomax tastes the power of being a wealthy New York attorney, something in him changes. Winning is no longer just a goal; it becomes an obsession. Soon he starts to realize that things are not what they seem to be; and all the things he once had and cared about -a happy marriage with Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), his relationship with his mother, all his happiness - everything disappear amidst the sparkling illusion of paradise. He suddenly realizes that Heaven and Hell can co-exist at the same place and at the same time.I do not intend to reveal anything else since all of the interesting surprises will be presented in the intense and inspiring climax. This is probably Reeves' best performance. He manages to create a believable character - a kind of example, a role model for the American way of life. Kevin's wife, Mary Ann, is most likely the hardest character to play, since she goes through a complex and difficult emotional evolution. From being strong, devoted and ambitious (a female copy of her husband) to vulnerable, hurt and on the verge of madness. Charlize Theron gracefully floats into this character. The most interesting of performances and characters is John Milton - the essence of Kevin Lomax's temptation. Al Pacino is nothing less than astonishing, an award worthy performance that is as good as anything seen this year. An inspiring thriller, visually stunning as well as thought provoking, 'The Devil's Advocate' should be viewed with an open mind.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Devilish lawyers, 6 Sep 2009
Novels and films have made us all familiar with the scenario: rising and idealistic young lawyer is hired by big city firm only to find as he gets more involved with the work that the firm is up to all sort of corrupt or evil deeds. How will he react? Go with the flow or stand against it? And if he resists can he get out of there alive?
"The Devil's Advocate" takes things to a new level. Keanu Reeves is the young lawyer here (and Charlize Theron the obligatory beautiful wife who will face her own frightening challenges in their new life), Al Pacino the senior partner who - it becomes clear early on - is not just evil, but the Evil One. And his influence permeates the whole firm and those who work for it.
It is this element that gives the film a feeling of darkness and corruption at a deeper level than, say, "The Firm", gripping though that was. In some scenes there are horror-film elements though these are not overplayed. In others there is a definite religious element. Thus the senior partner shows the new lawyer an almost surreal vista from his skyscraper in a way no doubt meant to call to mind the Bible account of how Satan showed Jesus the world from a high place and sought to tempt Him. And that scene with the holy water at the funeral service... Pacino is outstanding in his role, a charismatic figure who achieves his ends less by direct intervention than by playing on the weaknesses of others.
Pacino's is not the only good performance, he is well supported by the other actors though he is in a class by himself and dominates the screen. Direction and photography are excellent and "The Devil's Advocate" is a riveting film.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Paradise Lost (Three-and-a-Half Stars), 15 Sep 2008
Did anyone notice that the Satan's name in this entertaining-but-flawed flick is Milton, and that the marble reliefs which come to tantalizing life on Al Pacino's wall also allude to the great English poet's masterpiece?
I feel that "Devil's Advocate" has some good material, including touches of humor, some stunning cinematographic effects, and the performances by Ms. Theron and Al Pacino, who chews the scenery with such devilish panache that he dominates Keanu Reeves (but perhaps that is the point). And while the film, which combines legal ethics (or the lack of them) with the "Rosemary's Baby" genre, held my interest from start to finish, it did not quite come together--whether because of choppy editing or the "Dallas" option that precedes the ending, I am not certain. I did find the actual ending, however, to be wickedly ironic.
Nevertheless, "Devil's Advocate" is by no means a complete loss of time for the viewer, although it may represent an opportunity lost on the part of the writers and the director.
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