The Judge

2014 • 141 minutes

About this movie

Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes movies) stars as a successful attorney who returns to his childhood home for his mother's funeral, only to discover that his estranged father (Oscar® winner Robert Duvall) is suspected of murder. Arrogant and conceited, Hank (Downey Jr.) has no choice but to put his life on hold to deal with his stern, newly widowed father -- the town's judge, who's not only dying of cancer but also accused of deliberately running someone down. Now determined to find the truth, the big city lawyer must reconnect with the family he left behind years ago. Also starring an acclaimed ensemble cast including Oscar® winner Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade), Oscar® nominee Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) and more.

Ratings and reviews

Outstanding movie, similar character that Robert Downey Jr plays often but with so much more heart. Say what you want about being typecast into certain roles, there's still something to be said for perfecting that role. He's had a lot of time to get it just right. And if course another Duvall masterwork as we've come to expect and enjoy nothing less from one of the greats.

This film has the potential to make your heart break, put it back together, and break it again. The performances were phenomenal and I happen to love Robert Downey Jr. because every movie he's in is just golden. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone, it will put life challenges into a shocking perspective.

This is a movie you need to watch multiple times. I considered it mediocre on first viewing, but 3 years later I came back to it and I promise, it will grow on you. Duvall, Downey Jr., Farmiga, and the rest of the cast are on top of their game. The plot is intriguing, and the soundtrack is beautiful. It does an excellent job of portraying family tensions in a relatable fashion. Not a perfect movie by any means, but it has potential to be a semi-classic in coming years.