Criminal Law

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Criminal Law

R

1988

1h 57m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

27%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Up-and-coming Boston attorney Ben Chase (Gary Oldman) successfully defends wealthy Martin Thiel (Kevin Bacon) on the charge of a particularly vicious murder. Within 24 hours, another similarly styled murder occurs -- with a new twist that allows Chase to realize he has allowed a guilty man to run free. Chase is startled when Thiel contacts him, requesting he defend him again. Recklessly agreeing in order to gather evidence against Thiel, Chase is soon dragged into the killer's twisted game.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Criminal Law is a textbook example of a movie going wrong before our very eyes, because of the curious failure of the filmmakers to realize that you can toy with an audience only so long before the audience grows resentful.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a seemingly foolproof premise that’s employed to uninvolving and underwhelming effect by Campbell...

Rated: 1/4

Mar 14, 2025

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The pretentious psychological thriller has nothing worth saying about the American criminal justice system.

Rated: C

Nov 17, 2012

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 27, 2005

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Rated: 2/5

Dec 21, 2004

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Nicolas Lacroix

Showbizz.net

Rated: 2/5

Dec 2, 2003

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Matt B

Lazy contrived plot line insults the viewer. Director should be ashamed for this hot mess of a movie.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

A lawyer must decide what to do with a client who is willing to continue to commit murder.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/23

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Shioka O

I find this is boring while watching. Interesting to see Oldman as a hero, and Bacon as a villain. Another 80s flick.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/22

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Audience Member

Kind of fun, but oof was it over acted.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

Finest example of manic sound, lunatic plotline, erratic behavior and God awful acting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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steve d

With these fantastic stars it should be far better.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Martin Campbell

Director

Gary Oldman

Ben Chase

Kevin Bacon

Martin Thiel

Karen Young

Ellen Faulkner

Tess Harper

Det. Stillwell

Joe Don Baker

Det. Mesel

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Synopsis

Up-and-coming Boston attorney Ben Chase (Gary Oldman) successfully defends wealthy Martin Thiel (Kevin Bacon) on the charge of a particularly vicious murder. Within 24 hours, another similarly styled murder occurs -- with a new twist that allows Chase to realize he has allowed a guilty man to run free. Chase is startled when Thiel contacts him, requesting he defend him again. Recklessly agreeing in order to gather evidence against Thiel, Chase is soon dragged into the killer's twisted game.

Director: Martin Campbell
Producer: Ken Gord, Hilary Heath, Robert K. MacLean
Screenwriter: Mark Kasdan
Production Co: Northwood Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Surround

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