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Trailer

A Civil Action

1998Movie1 h 55 minPG-13

Drama
64
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6Metacritic686.6Rotten Tomatoes65%56%

A melancholic, slow-burning drama movie about class and money and everyday modern life.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Justice has its price.

Jan Schlickmann is a cynical lawyer who goes out to 'get rid of' a case, only to find out it is potentially worth millions. The case becomes his obsession, to the extent that he is willing to give up everything—including his career and his clients' goals—in order to continue the case against all odds.

Feels like

  • Legal Drama
  • Environmental Litigation
  • Social Justice
  • Obsession
  • Moral Dilemma
  • Bleak Realism
  • Class and Capitalism
  • Character-Driven
  • David vs. Goliath

Cast

24 of 44

Crew

Directed by
Steven Zaillian
Written by
Steven Zaillian
Produced by
Robert Redford, Steven Zaillian, Scott Rudin
Music by
Danny Elfman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 25, 1998 · 1 h 55 min · PG-13

Released
December 25, 1998
Runtime
1 h 55 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$70 million
Box office
$57 million
Available in
54 countries

Tropes

Bittersweet Ending, Obfuscating Stupidity, Heel–Face Turn +9

  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Obfuscating Stupidity
  • Heel–Face Turn
  • Bunny-Ears Lawyer
  • David Versus Goliath
  • The Bad Guy Wins
  • Punch-Clock Villain
  • The Generic Guy
  • Worth It
  • That Was Objectionable
  • On the Money
  • Honor Before Reason

12 of 30 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream A Civil Action?"

Questions about A Civil Action

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream A Civil Action?

In the United States, you can rent or buy A Civil Action from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Microsoft Store. It streams in 11 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is A Civil Action worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 65%, and Metacritic 68).

Is A Civil Action okay for kids?

PG-13

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Was A Civil Action a box office flop?

Budget$70 million
Box office$57 million

Yes: it cost about $70 million to make and earned $57 million worldwide, 81% of its budget.

What tropes does A Civil Action use?

Bittersweet EndingObfuscating StupidityHeel–Face TurnBunny-Ears LawyerDavid Versus GoliathThe Bad Guy WinsPunch-Clock VillainThe Generic GuyWorth ItThat Was ObjectionableOn the MoneyHonor Before Reasonand 18 more

TV Tropes lists 30 tropes for it, including Bittersweet Ending, Obfuscating Stupidity, and Heel–Face Turn.