A Few Good Men - 10 stars out of 10

A Few Good Men - 10 stars out of 10

"A Few Good Men" is one of the greatest films of all time, easily securing a spot in my Top 10.  Although it did not win any Oscars, let us not forget that Shawshank didn't, either.  Rob Reiner's film offers an interesting and comprehensive look at the trial process from start to finish, revealing the truth of the situation at the beginning and then tracing the lawyers' steps to discover the truth and then conceive a way to prove it.  This film is probably best remembered for it's performance by Jack Nicholson.  He only appears in three scenes and yet he completely deserves second billing.  His court testimony is a clinic in pacing to progressively build intensity, ending in an unforgettable explosion of emotion.  Tom Cruise also offers one of his greatest performances through the many aspects of his character's personality.  I love his sudden change of character from goofball to serious lawyer after pleading not guilty for his clients.  His drunken tirade in Demi Moore's face is fantastic, beginning with just a murmur and growing to his screaming delivery of: "Thank you for playing 'should we or should we not, follow the advice of the galactically stupid?'", not to mention the amazing questioning of Nicholson in the court room.  I wish that I could list all of the incredible lines throughout this movie, but I'd rather let you be surprised.  Moore gives a great performance, as well as Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollak, and Kiefer Sutherland in a detestible role.  Above all else, I love this script.  It is ludicrous that it was not nominated for an Oscar as Aaron Sorkin penned some of the greatest monologues in movie history while strategically placing several lines of comic relief to keep the tension from becoming unpleasant.  So much of this film is very near to perfection.  Viewing this movie as a young teenager immediately instilled a desire in me to become a lawyer.  I can't imagine anybody who would not be hungry to fight for justice after experiencing this story.  This is the second-best trial film of all time (second only to "Twelve Angry Men"), but I can easily say that its courtroom scenes are unmatched by any other film.