Criminal Law

Apr 28 1989 R 1h 57m
Crime, Drama, Thriller

Ben Chase is an on-the-rise Boston attorney currently defending a wealthy client in a high-profile murder case. Martin Thiel is the wealthy young man on trial for a particularly brutal murder. The verdict sets Thiel free. Within 24 hours another grizzly and all-too-familiar murder has taken place with striking similarities to the first crime. Chase inexplicably agrees to act as his defense attorney; but this time it will be to gather evidence that will put away his client for good.

Plot

A rising young attorney successfully defends a man accused of murder, only to have the same type of murder then happen again. Right away the previously defended man hires the attorney again, and although the attorney is quite certain that he is the killer, he agrees to again defend him... much to the consternation of his friends. However, he explains that by being his attorney he will be better able to catch the man in a mistake... and on this the rest of the film develops, with the killer playing a cat and mouse game with the attorney until, at last, they both must recognize that they are not all that different.

Written by

Mark Kasdan

Directed by

Martin Campbell

Cast

Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Tess Harper

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Northwood Productions, Hemdale

Languages

English

Awards

1 win

Trailers
Criminal Law
Criminal Law (1988) Original Trailer [HD]
Scores
# of Votes
5,347
Average Rating
5.7 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA