Reel Justice: The Courtroom Goes to the Movies
by Paul Bergman, Michael Asimow
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Book Summary Information
Author: Michael Asimow, Paul BergmanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1996-05-01
ISBN: 0836210352
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Book Reviews of Reel Justice: The Courtroom Goes to the Movies
Book Review: What is the law really?
Summary: 4 Stars
Few can escape an active filmgoing life without a twisted view of the law. For as many accurate depictions of courtroom behavior as there are in films, there must be dozens that are not even close. Objections that are baseless and would be laughed out of a real court are routinely sustained in films, for example, while thoroughly objectionable conduct, such as attorneys routinely arguing rather than questioning during examinations, goes unchallenged. Law professors Michael Asimow and Paul Bergman have taken their legal skills and their love of films and combined them in what is a relatively unique film and video guide. While they do adopt the trappings of more familiar video guides (such as rating films on a scale up to four gavels), they provide far more considered reviews than one is likely to find in any other guide (with the notable exception of Roger Ebert's). Both authors are professors at the UCLA School of Law, and they use their considerable contacts at the school to the greatest possible advantage, drawing on the years of learning of nationwide experts in various fields of law. "Reel Justice" is both a celebration of the filmed courtroom battle and an examination of the law underlying the films. All too often, the authors expose the legal lunacy in films, pointing out just how egregiously in error the film is. Where a film is correct, they dutifully point that out, too. Though there may be spots in which the layperson finds the going tough, "Reel Justice" is generally accessible to those without a J.D., and it demystifies the legal system that Hollywood strives so valiently to mystify. Probably, though, the best use for the book is after one sees the movie. (Indeed, the authors pull no punches and reveal many endings, though always with a warning to the reader.) In a time when actual courtroom dramas are more accessible to the general public, whether through the televised criminal trial of O.J. Simpson or through Court TV, a station devoted almost exclusively to televising trials, "Reel Justice" can be a valuable tool for helping a reader separate fact from fantasy. The most serious limitation of "Reel Justice" is that it covers so few films. The depth of the reviews, however, necessitates such a limited selection. Moreover, the rating system serves as an excellent means of seeking out the truly sublime films out there (though there are a few that are not readily available on video).
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