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Music Box

Play trailer Poster for Music Box PG-13 Released Dec 22, 1989 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) leads the defense of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl). But this isn't just another case for her -- Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he's innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father's past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.

Critics Reviews

View All (20) Critics Reviews
Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Amazingly, director Costa-Gavras and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas navigate these perilous waters smoothly. Rated: 5/5 Jun 12, 2013 Full Review BBC.com Rated: 3/5 Apr 17, 2001 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times What I particularly disliked about Music Box is that it takes the easy way out. It is not about guilt or innocence; it is a courtroom thriller, with all of the usual automatic devices like last-minute evidence and surprise witnesses. Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) A brilliant little box of surprises. [Full review in Spanish] Dec 2, 2022 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a better-than-average courtroom thriller... Rated: 3/4 Dec 16, 2021 Full Review Ryan Murphy Miami Herald [Jessica] Lange without angst is like Tyson without punch. She's the era's Sarah Bernhardt, a tragedienne with soignee soul. In Music Box... Lange is at her furrowed-brow best. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 17, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (67) audience reviews
Alec B A movie I wished I liked more. It's final twist feels cheap and unearned. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Jerod S Lange is working as a defense attorney - and her client is her father. He's accused of gruesome war crimes. And Lange is convinced of his innocence until she really journeys to find the truth. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/27/23 Full Review robert w One of the best performance i have seen by Jessica Lange. Storyline was excellent where i enjoyed all the performance. Armin Mueller-Stahl was brilliant and he should also have been nominated for this role as supporting actor. This was a well deserved Oscar nominated in the best acting category for Jessica Lange and i was pulling for her to win. Loved this movie but it almost impossible to find anywhere to stream whether purchase or not. One of my all time best movies ever with a shocking ending. A definite must see Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/30/22 Full Review steve d Strong drama with ties to my own heritage, hard not to like. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A montagem é problemática e o roteiro demora a colocar a narrativa nos trilhos. Mas a atuação de Jessica Lange e o segundo ato melhoram o nível. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member An riveting thought-provoking political family slash courtroom drama about an attorney's gruelling inquiry into her father's Nazi past culminates in a shocking discovery in the titular coffer. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Music Box

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) leads the defense of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl). But this isn't just another case for her -- Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he's innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father's past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.
Director
Costa-Gavras
Producer
Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter
Joe Eszterhas
Distributor
TriStar Pictures
Production Co
Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 1989, Original
Release Date (DVD)
May 20, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.1M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Surround