The plot of this legal thriller, based on the novel by William Diehl, centers on a high profile murder, which is assigned to an ambitious attorney’s career, Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a Kentucky teenager charged with the slaying of a Chicago archbishop. Vail uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. The story gets further complicated by a psychologist’s diagnosis that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. As a result, the cynical, opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting challenge, a client who may need and deserve his best work.
Oscar Nominations: 1
Supporting Actor: Edward Norton
Oscar Awards: None