“Devil’s Advocate” starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron / Z-View

Posted on by

Devil’s Advocate (1997)

Director:  Taylor Hackford

Screenplay: Jonathan Lemkin, Tony Gilroy; based on THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE by Andrew Neiderman

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones, Judith Ivey, Connie Nielsen, Tamara Tunie, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Debra Monk, Vyto Ruginis, Laura Harrington, Pamela Gray, George Wyner, Chris Bauer, Heather Matarazzo, Leo Burmester and Craig T. Nelson.

Tagline: The newest attorney at the world’s most powerful law firm has never lost a case. But he’s about to lose his soul.

The Plot…

Kevin Lomax is a young, newly married hotshot lawyer.  Kevin has never lost a case.  That could change when Kevin comes to realize his client, a teacher, accused of molesting a student, is a guilty pervert.  Kevin considers his options.  He could excuse himself from the case.  He could not do his best and allow his client to be found guilty.  Kevin makes a decision.  He brings the young girl to the witness stand and destroys her credibility.  His client gets off and Kevin’s undefeated streak is intact.

When John Milton’s big time New York City law firm offers Kevin a job, he is surprised… and interested.  Taking the position would mean uprooting his wife and moving from a small suburban home to the big city.  He’d get a lot more money and prestige, but have less time for his wife.  There’d be temptations that would be hard to resist.

But it’s not like he’d be selling his soul.  Right?

Court is in session!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Keanu Reeves accepted a lower salary in order that there was enough money in the budget to get Al Pacino.  When Pacino learned of this, he donated to charity the same amount that Reeves lowered his pay.

The boxing match that takes place in the film was an actual title fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Bryant Bannon.  Jones won by a second round TKO.

Keanu Reeves turned down Speed 2: Cruise Control but chose to make Devil’s Advocate instead.

In the last scene of the film Al Pacino looks into the camera breaking the fourth wall and speaks his last line.  I love it.

Devil’s Advocate (1997) rates 4 of 5 stars