Recently, I’ve been drawn to stories that end up in a court room setting. It’s made me think about all the fantastic filmsand series I’ve seen over the years that use these locations to ramp up the drama and intensity for the characters as well as the audience. If you’re looking to see something like this, here are my recommendations.
Anatomy of a Fall
As my most recent watch on this list, the story has been swirling around my mind since seeing it on the big screen. It follows a woman who is suspected of her husband’s murder and allows the audience a front row seat to the investigation. We also meet their son who faces a moral dilemma as a witness, having to memorise moments with his parents to figure out the truth. Winning the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film festival, this story dissects marriage and guilt in a not so typical whodunnit style.
Jury Duty
Given unprecedented access to the jury during a trial, this series allows us to see how American trials work behind the scenes. However, the case is entirely fake and everyone is an actor, except one of the jurors who believes it to be real. Throwing us back to prank shows of the late 90s and early 2000s, this hilarious show makes us wonder what extremes we may believe if we were presented with them in a court setting.
A Few Good Men
The first time I watched this, my mind was blown. A military lawyer defends two marines who have been charged with murdering a fellow marine, and the performances throughout are incredible. With a clever script, this film forces us to think about people in power and the extreme lengths those fighting for the truth go to. A list like this wouldn’t be complete without this title, so if you’ve not seen it, watch it as soon as you can!
Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story
I know this one won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t deny that it’s great to learn direct from Coleen Rooney, how she became an amateur detective to figure out how her private information and photographs kept being shared in the press. It really is fascinating to see how a tweet got taken to trial, and the breakdown of a recent tabloid news story that had the British public hooked.
The Burial
Based on a true story, this 2023 release introduces us to an unconventional lawyer who wants to help save a funeral home owner from a David and Goliath style case. The writing and line delivery suggests a comedy, but we soon discover the mess and financial fear that large corporations can force on small and family run businesses with no danger of being caught. I love a good biopic, and this is definitely one of them.
Anatomy of a Scandal
When a scandal comes to light, a parliamentary minister is forced to face his past. This mini-series cleverly uses flashbacks to allow us into the minds of the privileged elite, who are often given the keys to the castle. For me, the script often felt predictable but the reason I want to recommend this series is for the cinematography. Shot by Balazs Bolygo, the way we move through the series pushes us to experience the feelings that the story wants to tell in visually challenging yet interesting ways.
Legally Blonde
This wouldn’t be one of my recommendation lists without something like this! Of course, Legally Blonde is an iconic movie with chic style and quotable lines, but you can’t deny how fantastically it uses the law to its advantage and makes the courtroom accessible to all.
12 Angry Men
And just in case my previous suggestion annoyed you, let’s end on a classic. This film keeps us on our toes, reminding us that the people in these courtrooms are human, that we shouldn’t assume guilt.