Original subtitles

( alarm buzzes )

COME ON, JO ANN.

LET'S GET UP. COME ON.

NO.

YES, WAKE UP.

YOU SAID USE GUERRILLA TACTICS IF NECESSARY.

OKAY!

( cassette rewinding )

THIS IS PHASE ONE...

( tape plays "Stars and Stripes Forever )

...ESCALATING EVERY 60 SECONDS.

LET'S GO.

( knocking )

JO ANN, UP. STAY UP.

( music stops playing )

OKAY, JO ANN, HERE COMES PHASE TWO!

YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T MARRY ME

IF I LET YOU OVERSLEEP.

JUST REMEMBER, THIS ONE'S FOR LOVE, BABE.

( screeching )

AH! NOT THIS!

YOU SAID THIS MORNING WAS HYPERCRITICAL--

YOUR WORDS.

I WAS DRUNK.

YOU DON'T DRINK.

I MUST DRINK. HOW ELSE COULD I

FEEL THIS WAY IN THE MORNING?

JO ANN-- OKAY, PHASE THREE.

60 SECONDS TO PHASE THREE!

YOU WON'T LIKE PHASE THREE.

COME ON, JO ANN.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT ANYWAY,

SERIOUSLY.

I'M ABOUT TO COMPROMISE MY VALUES, I THINK.

( ice tray crackling )

I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING

THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT CONSTRUE AS UNETHICAL.

WELL, SORT OF A LITTLE BIT UNETHICAL.

I MEAN, NOT UNETHICAL, REALLY,

JUST OPPORTUNISTIC,

SELF-PROMOTING MORE THAN UNETHICAL.

I JUST CAN'T STAND THIS WAITING.

I WANT TO GET AT IT. I WANT TO PRACTICE LAW.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE WANTED ALL MY LIFE.

WHEN OTHER KIDS WERE PLAYING COWBOYS AND INDIANS,

I WAS PLAYING PLAINTIFF AND DEFENDANT.

I WANT TO GO TO TRIAL.

I WANT TO OBJECT AND BE SUSTAINED,

I WANT TO PACE UP AND DOWN, WAIVE MY ARMS, BANG ON TABLES,

AND BE OVERRULED AND ALL THAT LAWYER STUFF.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

UM-HMM...

YOU KNOW WHAT WE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT?

YOU AS EARTH MOTHER

BETWEEN ACTING AND MODELING JOBS,

LOOKING AFTER CRIPPLED KIDS AND ABANDONED OLD FOLKS,

ME DEFENDING MIGRANT FARM WORKERS--

YOU KNOW, FRUIT PICKERS?

ARE THERE FRUIT PICKERS IN MASSACHUSETTS?

ARE YOU LISTENING?

- JO ANN? - HMM?

- JO ANN. - HMM?

YOU HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD I'VE SAID.

MM-HMM.

WELL, ARE YOU LISTENING NOW?

- MM-HMM. - GOOD, BECAUSE--

I GOT A PHONE CALL THIS MORNING,

WELL, IT SEEMS I'VE BEEN AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR JURISPRUDENCE,

AND WHILE HARVARD LAW SCHOOL WANTS TO HAVE ME BRONZED

AND HUNG OUT OVER THE LIBRARY-- DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO IT?

UM-HMM...

AND A BIG DINOSAUR JUMPED ON MY HEAD,

AND I CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS RUNNING AROUND NAKED

WITH FEATHERS IN MY EARS!

SHOULD I DO THAT?

- MMM. - OH.

HYPERCRITICAL, YOU SAID.

OH! OH!

ROBIN! OH, GOD!

COME BACK HERE, YOU COWARD!

OH, GOD.

OH. 7 A.M!

WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME?

( knocking )

HEY!

JESUS, STEVE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

- WHAT AREYOUDOING? - NOTHING.

JUST SEEING IF DUNCAN WAS IN.

HOW COME YOU'RE HERE EARLY?

I'M CATCHING UP. FILING, PROOFREADING--

ARE WE STILL ON FOR LUNCH?

WE'VE GOT TO BE BACK FOR ROBERTA'S PARTY AT 1:30.

A HALF AN HOUR TO EAT? WE'D BETTER ORDER AHEAD FOR THAT PORK TARTARE.

HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE YOU GOING TO EAT?

THEY'RE GOOD FOR YOU. INCREASE THAT STAYING POWER.

NO, OYSTERS, STEVE. THOSE ARE CLAMS.

OH.

THEY'RE WET AND SLIMY. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

YOU SHOULD TRY SOME.

WHAT FOR? I CAN'T GET A DATE.

I CAN'T GET NEAR A GIRL. I CAN'T GET NEAR ANYONE.

IF I WERE A TREE, DOGS WOULDN'T PISS ON ME.

I HAD AN IMAGINARY PLAYMATE ONCE.

HE LIKED YOU.

NAW, HE USED TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF ME.

( laughs )

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

EVERY DAY IT'S RESEARCH, FILE--

ROBIN, NOBODY TRIES CASES

THEIR FIRST YEAR OUT OF LAW SCHOOL.

WE WORK HARDER THAN ANYONE IN THAT FIRM.

NOBODY NOTICES. I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO GET THEIR ATTENTION.

ROBERTA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. LET'S MOVE.

NO, I CAN'T. I GOT TO WORK.

THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET THEIR ATTENTION--

IGNORE A SENIOR PARTNER'S BIRTHDAY PARTY.

WE'RE GOING, BABE.

- ROBERTA HATES ME. - ROBERTA HATES EVERYBODY.

- ALL WOMEN HATE ME. - THEY'RE RIGHT.

( employees singing ) ? THE OLD GRAY MARE ?

? SHE AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE ?

? AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE ?

? AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE ?

? THE OLD GRAY MARE ?

? SHE AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE ?

? MANY LONG YEARS AGO. ?

SPEECH, SPEECH.

GOD, IT LOOKS LIKE THE CHICAGO FIRE.

( employees laugh )

I KNOW METICULOUSNESS IS A VIRTUE FOR LAWYERS,

BUT DO WE HAVE TO BE QUITE SO UNERRING

IN THE CANDLE COUNT?

MAKE A WISH. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

NO!

YOU LISTEN TO ME, YOU ROACH,

YOU TELL THAT CLIENT OF YOURS

THAT IF HE'S NOT OFF THE PREMISES

BY NOON TOMORROW,

I WILL NOT ONLY SUE HIM,

BUT I WILL SEND A 300-POUND THUMB-BREAKER DOWN THERE

TO BUFF-DRY THE VASELINE PLASTER

TO THE LITTLE GREASEBALL'S HEAD!

BALONEY, THE GUY'S GREASIER THAN ZORRO'S HATBAND.

SO, YOU TELL THAT LITTLE HANGNAIL

TO SCRIBBLE OUT A CHECK!

AND IT BETTER BE GOOD,

BECAUSE THE ONLY THING THAT I WANT TO SEE BOUNCE

IS THAT LITTLE WEASEL'S BUTT

RIGHT OUT OF THE BUILDING!

BYE!

CINDY, WILL YOU GET ME--

OH, I'M SORRY. COULD YOU HEAR THAT?

HEAR IT? YOU BLEW THE CANDLES OUT.

WHAT WAS THAT?

THAT WAS A TENANT. HE WON'T VACATE.

YOU HAVEN'T HAD HIM GUILLOTINED YET?

I'M SORRY. I GUESS I WAS A LITTLE OVERZEALOUS.

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY. - NOT AT ALL.

WE ENJOYED IT,

PARTICULARLY THE PART ABOUT ZORRO'S HATBAND.

THAT'S A VERY ORIGINAL TERM IN JURISPRUDENCE.

IT'S NEGOTIATION AS ART FORM.

I'M VERY SORRY.

IT WAS VERY INDUSTRIOUS.

ALL RIGHT, CAKE FOR EVERYONE,

THEN NOSES BACK IN YOUR BRIEFS--

YOU'LL FORGIVE THE EXPRESSION.

AND THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

SIR.

WHO'S THE HUNGRIEST PERSON HERE?

CINDY, SHE CARRIED THE CAKE.

YOU SLICK SON OF A BITCH.

- "ZORRO'S HATBAND"? - THAT JUST CAME TO ME.

ROBERTA'S NOSTRILS FLARED, I SWEAR.

DESPERATION IS MY MIDDLE NAME.

WEATHERS!

COME ON.

- WEATHERS, DAMN IT, -YOU WANT ME?

THE TORKENSON TRIAL IS TOMORROW.

WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED?

- I SENT YOU A MEMO. - NO, YOU DIDN'T.

- DID YOU CHECK YOUR BOX?. - OF COURSE, I DID!

YOU DIDN'T SEND IT TO ME, THAT'S WHAT.

- SIR, I DID. - NO, YOU DIDN'T.

- ALL RIGHT, FIND IT. - IT HAS TO BE HERE.

YOU NEVER SENT IT.

WHAT ABOUT THESE FILES HERE?

THAT'S ANOTHER CASE.

MAYBE IT'S MIXED UP IN THAT STUFF.

YOU'RE MIXED UP. JUST ADMIT YOU DIDN'T SEND IT.

WHAT'S THIS?

HERE IT IS, SEE? DATED JUNE 12th, LAST WEEK.

HOW DID THAT GET DOWN THERE?

"TRIAL, JUNE 19th."

"NO CONTINUANCE." WE'RE SCREWED.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

THE TORKENSON TRIAL IS TOMORROW,

THERE'S NO CONTINUANCE, AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THE FILES.

- I CAN TRY IT! - YOU CAN TRY IT?

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

OUR CLIENT PUNCHED SOMEONE,

AND HE'S BEING SUED FOR $50,000.

I KNOW THE CASE. I CAN TRY IT.

IT'S A PIMPLE. LET HIM TRY IT.

WHAT CHOICE DO WE HAVE?

OUR CLIENT IS A BANK PRESIDENT.

- I CAN DO IT. - HE CAN DO IT.

PHIL, BE SERIOUS. HE'S A KID.

GO WITH HIM AND HOLD HIS HAND. YOU CAN DO IT.

- YES, SIR. - GOOD BOY.

- GOOD GOD. - THANK YOU, SIR.

GOOD LUCK.

HA HA HA!

YOU DIDN'T? TELL ME YOU DIDN'T.

OKAY, I DIDN'T.

YOU DID.

YOU STONEWALLED DUNCAN ON HIS OWN COURT DATE.

YOU'LL WIND UP ON THE SUPREME COURT OR IN SAN QUENTIN.

MAYBE I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.

MAYBE I SHOULDN'T HAVE.

IT WAS UNETHICAL, WASN'T IT?

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

YOU HEARD AMES. IT'S A PIMPLE.

I'M SORRY I DIDN'T THINK OF IT MYSELF.

AH, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT'S A GREAT CASE.

I GOT A GREAT GAME PLAN. I CAN'T LOSE.

I'VE GOT TO CALL JO ANN.

ARE YOU GUYS JUMPING AGAIN? ARE YOU?

HI, SWEETHEART.

MRS. JAMESON, WOULD YOU TAKE THE KIDS

FOR A FEW MINUTES? I'D APPRECIATE IT.

SILLY, ISN'T HE? SILLY.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE SOME OF THESE KIDS COULDN'T TALK

WHEN WE GOT THEM,

AND THEY'RE CLOSING THIS PROGRAM DOWN.

MORE OF THE RIGHT WING'S WAR

AGAINST WASTEFUL SOCIAL PROGRAMMING.

I THINK YOU'D LIKE TO GIVE UP THE ACTING

AND DO THIS STUFF FULL TIME.

I CAN ONLY HAVE MY HEART BROKEN A FEW HOURS A DAY.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU.

- WHAT? - IT'S FOR YOUR COLLECTION.

- IT'S A NEW DON WRIGHT. - MM-HMM.

- HA HA HA HA! - YOU LIKE IT?

OH, YEAH! THIS IS AN ORIGINAL.

OH, MAN.

- DUNCAN? - YUP.

- YOU HAPPY? - OH, YEAH.

I'M GOING TO GET IT FRAMED.

SO, TELL ME ABOUT THE CASE.

CAN'T. I DON'T WANT TO BE LATE FOR MY MEETING

WITH MY FIRST CLIENT. YOUR PLACE OR MINE?

MINE. THERE'S A SLIGHT PROBLEM WITH YOUR BED.

YOUR SIDE OF THE BED.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

YOU DIDN'T THINK I WOULD LET YOU

GET AWAY WITH THIS MORNING?

I WAS JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS.

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT HITLER'S BOYS SAID.

WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BED?

I KIND OF TARRED AND FEATHERED IT.

YOU TARRED AND FEATHERED MY BED?

WITH HONEY AND SALTINES.

- YOU'RE SICK. - I'LL UNDO IT.

NOW THAT YOU'RE A LITIGATOR,

YOU GET A BREAK.

I LOVE YOU.

I'LL SEE YOU.

"I GET TO PACE UP AND DOWN

AND WAVE MY ARMS AND POUND ON TABLES"?

ROBIN?

WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH TIME,

SO LET'S DISCUSS YOUR DEFENSE.

THERE'S NO DEFENSE. I STRUCK THE MAN.

EXCUSE ME?

IT'S A LOSER. JUST DRAG IT OUT.

I'M NOT SURE THAT I FOLLOW.

I WANT AT LEAST A THREE DAY TRIAL.

RUN UP HIS FEES. HE MAY GET $50,000,

BUT I WANT IT TO COST HIM $20,000.

THREE DAYS? IT'S A ONE DAY CASE.

STRETCH IT OUT. THAT'S ALL I ASK.

SHOULDN'T WE TRY TO WIN?

I LIKE YOUR SPIRIT. GOD KNOWS I LOVE A FIGHT.

BUT, SIR, I CAN WIN IT.

YOU CAN'T WIN IT. TRUST ME.

I HIT PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. I KNOW.

SEE YOU IN COURT.

GREAT.

IT'S JUST BECAUSE OF TOMORROW.

PROBABLY.

WILL YOU STILL MARRY ME?

WHAT?

THIS COULD BE SERIOUS.

ROBIN, YOU'RE JUST PREOCCUPIED.

I'M A LAWYER.

WHAT KIND OF MARRIAGE WILL WE HAVE IF TRIALS MAKE ME IMPOTENT?

( Jo Ann laughs )

I THINK YOU'LL RECOVER.

DO YOU THINK I WAS WRONG,

HOW I GOT THE CASE?

IT WAS A CLOSE CALL.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD CALL IT "INITIATIVE."

WHAT WOULDYOU CALL IT?

CREATIVE SNEAKINESS.

I'VE GOT TO MAKE MY OWN BREAKS, JO ANN.

I DIDN'T EXACTLY FINISH AT THE TOP OF MY CLASS.

YOU NEVER EVEN MET YOUR CLASS.

YOU WENT TO THREE LECTURES IN THREE YEARS,

AND YOU STILL FINISHED IN THE TOP 10%.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE GREAT TOMORROW, JUST GREAT.

BUT THE POINT IS, I'M SUPPOSED TO BE

CALM, COLLECTED, AND COMMANDING.

I AM A LAWYER.

HERE I AM LYING IN BED SCARED COMPLETELY STIFF.

WELL... NOT COMPLETELY.

JERK.

HA HA HA!

OH, GOD. LAUGH, GO AHEAD, LAUGH.

IT'S A REALLY FUNNY JOKE.

Attorney: OBJECTION! HE'S GROPING, YOUR HONOR.

Judge: A LITTLE GROPE NEVER HURT ANYBODY.

OVERRULED.

CONTINUE, MR. WEATHERS.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME, YOUR HONOR.

HOW'S HE DOING?

I DON'T KNOW, BUT HE'S HAVING A GREAT TIME.

GOOD.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I DON'T WANT DUNCAN TO SEE ME. I SHOULD BE WORKING.

( Steve snickering )

MR. COWENS, IF WE'RE NOT BOTHERING YOU...

YES, SIR.

LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT.

THE PLAINTIFF, A TRUSTEE,

CRITICIZED YOUR BANK'S LENDING POLICY

AFTER A BOARD MEETING?

THAT'S CORRECT.

SO--

SO YOU PUNCHED HIM?

I STRUCK HIM BECAUSE HE WAS RUDE.

HE CALLED ME AN IDIOT.

BUT HE NEVER PHYSICALLY THREATENEDYOU,DID HE?

NO.

AND THERE WAS NO SKIRMISH

PRECEDING YOUR ACT OF VIOLENCE?

NO.

- DO YOU MIND? - NO, SIR.

YOU JUST FELT LIKE HITTING HIM,

SO YOU DID, ISN'T THAT RIGHT?

I SUPPOSE SO.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOUR HONOR.

REDIRECT, MR. WEATHERS?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

MR. TORKENSON, HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN

THE PLAINTIFF, MR. WILBY?

APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS.

OVER THAT DURATION, DID YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY

TO FORM AN OPINION AS TO THE CHARACTER OF THE PLAINTIFF?

I DID.

COULD YOU, PLEASE, STATE THAT OPINION?

YOU MEAN WHAT I REALLY THINK?

YOUR HONEST OPINION.

HE'S AN ASSHOLE.

-OBJECTION! - YOU BET.

SUSTAINED. THE ANSWER WILL BE STRICKEN.

SIDEBAR, YOUR HONOR.

WHAT FOR?

BECAUSE I WANT A SIDEBAR.

I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE ANSWER BE ALLOWED.

- WHAT? - IT SHOULD STAND. IT IS RELEVANT.

AND IT'S OFFENSIVE. DON'T COMPOUND IT.

IF I MAY--

TELL THE WITNESS TO REPHRASE THE ANSWER.

THAT JUST IT, HE CAN'T.

THE WORD HAS A VERY DISTINCT CONNOTATION.

NOTHING ELSE QUITE CAPTURES IT.

I OBJECT. ARE YOU SAYING A PRESIDENT OF A BANK

CAN'T ARTICULATE HIS THOUGHTS WITHOUT USING PROFANITY?

WHAT I'M SAYING IS THERE AREN'T MANY WORDS TO DESCRIBE

THE PARTICULAR SLIME YOUR CLIENT OOZES.

OBJECTION!

MR. WEATHERS, WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

IN A PLACE WHERE EVERY CITIZEN CAN HAVE HIS SAY.

NOT IN ANY WAY HE WANTS TO SAY IT.

TELL HIM TO PICK ANOTHER WORD.

DECEITFUL? DISHONEST? CONNIVING?

- THEY'RE ALL CLOSE... - OBJECTION!

...BUT "ASSHOLE" REALLY FITS.

IT'S THE ONLY WORD THAT ACCURATELY DESCRIBES HIM,

AND WE CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT.

EVERYBODY THINKS HE'S AN ASSHOLE.

- SON OF A BITCH. - THAT'S GOOD, TOO.

- SHUT UP! - WHAT THE HELL?

COURT'S ADJOURNED. IN MY CHAMBERS--

NOW!

DUNCAN-- URF! UF! UFF! UFF!

WHAT KIND OF HORSESHIT IS THIS?

- I'M SORRY, YOUR HONOR-- - EXCUSE ME, SIR,

BUT YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO

THAT THE WORD HAS A UNIQUE MEANING,

AND MY CLIENT HAS A RIGHT TO EXPRESSION.

CHANGE THE WORD.

FINE. GIVE ME ONE WORD

THAT CAPTURES THE SAME INFERENCE.

YOU NAME IT AND I WILL USE IT.

SURE.

CAN YOU COME UP WITH A WORD?

SURE... UH... ANTAGONISTIC?

ANTAGONISTIC?

YOU'RE MAKING DEFENSE'S POINT FOR HIM.

I STILL OBJECT.

I MOVE FOR A HEARING ON THE MATTER.

YOU WANT ME TO HAVE A SPECIAL MOTION

ON THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THE WORD "ASSHOLE?"

LET ME HAVE "ASS." THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH.

WHAT LAW SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND?

- I'LL AGREE TO IT. - YOU WILL? WHY?

I DON'T WANT ANY INTERLOCUTORY APPEALS.

WHAT ARE YOU, A COMEDY TEAM?

ALL RIGHT!

WE'LL HEAR IT TOMORROW--

JUST "ASS" THOUGH.

WE'LL BRING THE JURY BACK ON THURSDAY.

THAT'S OKAY WITH ME.

OH, GOOD!

WHAT'S THIS SNOTNOSE DOING IN MY COURT?

YOU WERE SCHEDULED FOR THIS TRIAL, DUNCAN.

WE HAD A TRIAL RUNOVER.

UM-HM. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT--

I'M HOLDING YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS BEHAVIOR.

HE STEPS OUT OF LINE AGAIN,

I'LL HOLD YOU IN CONTEMPT.

- ME? - YEAH, YOU!

IT'S GOING ON YOUR RECORD!

ANY QUESTIONS? GOOD. GET OUT.

UH... UH... WAIT A MINUTE--

GET OUT!

LUNATIC, MORON, CRETIN.

WE'LL HAVE TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE FIRM

TO "SLEAZE, SLEAZE, AND PANDER."

BALLS.

WELL, YOU GOT YOUR THREE DAYS.

I LOVE IT. HEE-HEE-HEE!

HE'S SCREAMING AT THE JUDGE,

YELLING, FIGHTING--

AND I'M GOING TO BE CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT.

THEY'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE THAT MOTION?

OH, YES!

THEY'RE GOING TO ARGUE OVER THE WORD "ASS."

CAN YOU IMAGINE SUCH LANGUAGE IN A COURT OF LAW?

THAT BOY'S GOT BALLS, I'LL GIVE HIM THAT MUCH.

NO BRAINS, BUT INDUSTRIAL-SIZED--

Roberta: THEN GELD HIM.

GIVE THE KID SOME CREDIT.

HE'S PARLEYED A LITTLE TORT CASE

INTO A FIRST AMENDMENT BATTLE.

HE'S DEMONSTRATED A WILLINGNESS

TO EMBARRASS THIS FIRM.

THERE'S NO TELLING HOW LOW HE'LL STOOP.

Duncan: I KNOW HOW LOW...

ROBIN... WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

JUST THE MAN I NEED.

WE'VE GOT TO COLLECT SOME BOOKS.

Robin: THE WORD APPEARS IN ALL KINDS OF LITERATURE,

FROM DICTIONARIES TO SONNETS.

LOOK AT THESE BOOKS-- SHAKESPEARE,

DICKENS, HEMINGWAY,

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW, JAMES JOYCE,

LAWRENCE, BOTH D.H. AND T.E.,

FREUD,

FAULKNER,

CHAUCER,

BUT IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR MR. COWENS.

HE DOESN'T LIKE IT.

"TOO HARSH."

MR. WEATHERS,

PLEASE COME OUT.

AND FACE UNPLEASANTRIES? OH, I'LL BRUISE.

MR. WEATHERS,

THIS COURT ORDERS YOU TO COME OUT.

I'LL COME OUT, YOUR HONOR,

TO FACE REALITY.

BUT I WON'T STAY OUT

IF YOU LET PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL

TURN THIS COURTROOM

INTO A FORTRESS OF CENSORSHIP.

( laughing )

( Torkenson laughs harder )

THE SWELL OF OBSCENITY IS EVERYWHERE.

VULGARITY HAS PERMEATED ALMOST EVERY WALK OF LIFE,

BUT HERE, THE COURTROOM OF AMERICA

HAS STOOD TO STEM THE FILTHY TIDE

OF MAN-MADE DECADENCE.

THIS PLACE, WHERE YEARS OF INTEGRITY,

HONESTY, AND DEDICATION CULMINATE

FOR THE FEW WHO EARN THE RIGHT TO WEAR THAT ROBE--

AND BE ADDRESSED AS--

PFFFFT!

OBJECTION!

( courtroom laughs )

I OBJECT TO THIS GROVELING DRIVEL.

FIRST HE OBJECTS TO THE WORD "ASS,"

AND NOW, YOUR HONOR, HE'S KISSING YOURS.

THIS IS GROUNDS FOR DISBARMENT!

HOW CAN YOU STAND THIS CLOWN?

YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISBARRED.

GROW UP!

( shouting; gavel pounding )

I'M GOING TO GET DISBARRED?

MR. WEATHERS! MR. WEATHERS!

( judge whistling )

HEY!

THAT'S IT, COUNSELOR.

THAT GETS HIM A CONTEMPT ORDER.

BE SURE YOU SPELL HIS NAME RIGHT,

D-U-N-C-A-N.

IN MY CHAMBERS.

WEATHERS! YOU'RE FIRED. YOU'RE FINISHED.

IF YOU FIRE HIM,

YOU'LL LOSE OUR BANK AND OUR THREE SUBSIDIARIES.

I'LL SEE YOU NEVER REPRESENT

ANOTHER LENDING INSTITUTION IN THIS STATE.

HE'S GREAT.

GREAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

YOU BET, ASSHOLE.

Reporter:Attorneys Robin "Stormy" Weathers

and Matt Cowens almost came to fisticuffs

in what some insiders have described

as the most brilliant legal engagement in years.

The only question is, will they kill each other

before we get a verdict?

WE FIRE HIM, WE LOSE THE BANK.

WE HAVE TO FIRE HIM. WE HAVE OUR REPUTATION.

NEITHER MEANS ANYTHING WITHOUT OUR CLIENTS.

WE NEED THAT BANK,

NOT TO MENTION WE'VE HAD INQUIRIES

FROM FOUR MAJOR FIRMS DUE TO MR. WEATHERS.

WHAT?

ONE CLIENT CANNOT BE WORTH

AN INSTITUTION'S INTEGRITY.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CRAIG, CONTROL HIM.

I CAN'T. HE'S NOT AFRAID OF ME,

THE LITTLE SHIT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE JUDGE PUTS UP WITH IT.

HE LOVES IT, LOVES IT.

HE'S BEEN SITTING IN CIVIL COURT FOR 30 DULL YEARS.

HE GETS OFF ON IT!

I WON'T HAVE IT, PHIL.

IT CANNOT CONTINUE.

WAIT A MINUTE.

AREN'T WE LOSING SIGHT OF SOMETHING?

THIS COWENS KID IS GOOD. HE'S VERY GOOD.

WEATHERS HAS A NO-WIN CASE. HE'LL LOSE.

AFTER HE LOSES,

TORKENSON'S PASSIONS WILL COOL,

AND THEN WE'LL QUIETLY CAN THE LITTLE BASTARD.

Weathers: NOW, MR. WILBY,

DO YOU RECALL SAYING ANYTHING TO THE DEFENDANT

ON THE MORNING OF THE DAY IN QUESTION?

I, UM... I DON'T REMEMBER.

BUT YOU DID SPEAK TO HIM?

I SPEAK TO HIM EVERY MORNING.

ABOUT WHAT?

IT COULD BE MOST ANYTHING.

DID YOU TELL HIM YOU WANTED TO HAVE

A SEXUAL ENCOUNTER WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER?

- ( courtroom laughs ) - OBJECTION!

HE SAID "ANYTHING."

AH-- THAT'S CONTEMPT ORDER NUMBER TWO.

CHARGE IT TO HIM.

MR. WEATHERS, DO YOU DESIRE ANOTHER?

SURE. WHAT DOES HE CARE?

WHY IS IT HE CAN REMEMBER THE AFTERNOON CONVERSATION

WORD FOR BLOODY WORD,

BUT FOR THE MORNING, HE'S STUCK FOR A TOPIC?

- BECAUSE I WROTE IT DOWN. - WHAT?

I WROTE THE CONVERSATION DOWN.

- WHERE? - IN MY JOURNAL!

- IS THAT HOW YOU REMEMBER? - YES, IT IS!

- DO YOU HAVE THAT BOOK HERE? - IT'S RIGHT OVER THERE.

- I WANT THAT BOOK! - OBJECTION!

THE LAW IS CLEAR, PRESENT RECOLLECTION REFRESHED.

PRODUCE THE BOOK.

WHAT? HE CAN READ IT?

ALL OF IT?

EVERY SMUT-FILLED PAGE, YOU DISGUSTING WORM.

- OBJECTION! - OBJECTION!

OH, THAT'S NOVEL.

OBJECTION IN TWO PART HARMONY.

NOPE, TOO LATE. THAT'S IT, COUNSELOR.

CONTEMPT ORDER NUMBER THREE.

HE KEEPS THIS UP, MAYBE I CAN GIVE YOU LIFE.

I MOVE FOR A SUPPRESSION HEARING.

- ABSOLUTELY NOT! - OBJECTION!

- Judge: YOU SHUT UP! - YOU HAVE TO SHOW CAUSE!

YOU DON'T HAVE A DAMN THING!

- HOLY COW. - HE'S YOUR CLIENT!

YOU OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T PREPARE HIM!

NOTHING.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

WHAT DID DUNCAN SAY?

DUNCAN HAS STOPPED TALKING TO ME.

HE HAD HIS EYES CLOSED THE WHOLE TIME.

WE SHOULD JUST TAKE ALL THIS CIRCUMSTANTIAL MATERIAL

AND JUST CREATE WHATEVER INFERENCES WE CAN.

SURE, TRUTH BE DAMNED.

TRUTH? WHAT'S SHE TALKING ABOUT?

THIS IS LAW. YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO MARRY

THIS RABBLE-ROUSER?

( making barking noise )

JO ANN,

THERE'S SOMETHING I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU.

IF I WIN THIS TRIAL, TRY NOT TO EMBARRASS ME.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

REMEMBER IN LAW SCHOOL WHEN I WON THAT MOCK TRIAL

-YOU STARTED SCREAMING? - NO.

AND WHISTLING AND TURNING CARTWHEELS?

ONE CARTWHEEL.

AND THEN YOU MOONED THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.

I DID NOT. ONE CHEEK, PERHAPS.

THIS IS THE BIG TIME,

SO PLEASE TRY AND TEMPER YOUR EMOTIONS.

I'M GOING TO BOO AND HISS

AND THEN I'M GOING TO MOON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE DEFENSE.

MOON ME LATER, OKAY?

ISN'T HE CUTE?

I WILL NOT ALLOW MY CLIENT TO BE EMBARRASSED!

SHUT UP! SHUT UP!

I DON'T REALLY CARE!

SHUT UP!

THE QUESTION'S CLOSED.

HE CAN USE THE BOOK TO IMPEACH,

BUT, MR. WEATHERS, YOU BETTER STICK TO

THE FACTS OF THIS CASE.

NOTHING THAT DOESN'T CONCERN THIS CASE IS ADMISSIBLE.

IF YOU BREATHE ONE IRRELEVANT EXCERPT,

I'LL THROW YOU IN JAIL UNTIL YOU ROT!

YOU GOT THAT? ROT!

- YES, YOUR HONOR. - YOU'RE POSITIVE?

- POSITIVE, SIR. - YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE?

- ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE. - VERY WELL, PROCEED.

NOW, MR. WILBY,

I'VE READ YOUR JOURNAL.

TELL ME, DO YOU ENJOY MOLESTING LITTLE GIRLS?

- WHAT? - Judge: LOCK HIM UP!

DUNCAN, RIGHT NOW! AND MUZZLE HIM.

GET ONE OF THOSE DOG THINGS!

YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD-FAITH BASIS FOR THIS QUESTION,

OR THIS TRIAL IS OVER.

I'LL DIRECT A VERDICT FOR THE PLAINTIFF,

AND YOU'LL NEVER PRACTICE LAW AGAIN!

- BUT, YOUR HONOR-- - IN MY CHAMBERS NOW!

HOW'D YOU LIKE THIS GAVEL TATTOOED TO YOUR FOREHEAD?

PLEASE READ THIS TOP PARAGRAPH.

I DON'T WANT TO.

YOU HAVE TO READ IT. PLEASE.

"I THINK I PRESSURED HER INTO DOING SOMETHING

"SHE WASN'T READY TO DO. I FORCED HER."

AUGUST 1956? THAT'S TEENAGE SEX, FOR GOD'S SAKE--

THOSE STATEMENTS SUGGEST RAPE.

- YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND! - HE SAYS HE FORCED A GIRL TO HAVE SEX.

HE MAY HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME.

IF HE WAS CONVICTED THEN IT IS RELEVANT

BECAUSE THE RULES OF EVIDENCE STATE

THAT EVERY CONVICTION BEARS RELEVANCE

UPON THE CREDIBILITY OF ANY WITNESS WHO TAKES THE STAND.

THAT IS THE LAW.

I'LL BE DAMNED.

SNOTNOSE GROWS UP, HUH?

Cowens: VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE!

SO I SAY TO YOU, MAKE HIM PAY.

SHOW HIM AND EVERYONE ELSE LIKE HIM

THAT UNPROVOKED VIOLENCE HAS A PRICE,

AND THAT PRICE IS JUSTICE.

THAT'S ALL I ASK--

JUSTICE.

THANK YOU.

Judge: COUNSELOR?

THIS IS STUPID.

ALL OF THIS BECAUSE ONE BANKER GUY HITS ANOTHER.

IT'S CALLED "BATTERY," DEFINED AS

"AN OFFENSIVE TOUCHING."

NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT'S OFFENSIVE.

A MAN CALLS YOU AN "IDIOT"

IN FRONT OF YOUR PEERS--

THAT'S OFFENSIVE.

A MAN GETS SLAPPED, DOESN'T EVEN GET A SCRATCH

AND HE WANTS A $50,000 BAND-AID.

THAT'S OFFENSIVE.

THINK ABOUT SUZIE WALKER,

A LITTLE GIRL WHOSE WHOLE BODY WAS BURNED

WHEN A BOILER EXPLODED.

THINK ABOUT A LITTLE EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL

WHO NEVER GOT ONE PENNY FOR HER CRIPPLING INJURIES

BECAUSE SHE DIED BEFORE HER CASE CAME TO TRIAL.

THE MAN IS TOTALLY WITHOUT SHAME.

THEN THINK OF ALL THE FRIVOLOUS,

MEANINGLESS CASES IN WHICH NOBODY GETS HURT

THAT FILL UP THE COURTS

SO THAT THE SUZIE WALKERS NEVER GET THERE.

OBJECTION!

THE MAN GOT SLAPPED, AND HE WANTS $50,000!

THAT'S OFFENSIVE!

YOU SHOULD GET SLAPPED.

FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY-- BEAT ME.

SUZIE WALKER GOT NOTHING.

Cowens: WHO THE HELL IS SUZIE WALKER?

THAT'S HIS ATTITUDE.

"WHO THE HELL IS SUZIE WALKER"?

WHO THE HELL GIVES A DAMN ABOUT HER?

WHO THE HELL GIVES A DAMN

ABOUT CRIPPLED, DYING CHILDREN?

THAT IS OFFENSIVE!

NOW, THINK ABOUT IT.

THAT MAN DID NOT GET HURT.

HE HAS WASTED THE COURT'S TIME.

HE'S TAKEN UP A WEEK OF YOUR LIFE.

EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS HOW TERRIBLE THE COURT SYSTEM IS

BECAUSE IT TAKES LITERALLY YEARS TO GET A TRIAL DATE.

WELL, YOU WONDER WHY.

HE WANTS $50,000,

AND HE CAN'T EVEN SHOW YOU A BRUISE!

I SAY, DON'T GIVE IT TO HIM!

TELL THIS GUY "NO,"

AND MAYBE THE NEXT GUY WON'T TRY IT!

SEND A MESSAGE!

THERE'S A LONG LINE OF GUYS JUST LIKE HIM

WAITING FOR THEIR CHANCE TO ROLL THE DICE.

YOU TELL THEM THEIR PLACE IS IN ATLANTIC CITY,

NOT IN THE COURTROOMS OF AMERICA!

( Jo Ann claps )

Judge: HAS THE JURY REACHED A VERDICT?

Woman: YES, YOUR HONOR, WE HAVE.

WHAT SAY YOU, MADAM FOREMAN?

YOUR HONOR, WE THE JURY,

ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS

OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,

FIND FOR THE DEFENDANT, RAYMOND TORKENSON--

WHOO!

( courtroom cheering )

SON OF A BITCH.

SOME GUY JUST SAID I'M GOING TO BE ON NATIONAL TV.

DON'T SQUINT BECAUSE YOUR EYES DISAPPEAR WHEN YOU SQUINT.

AND YOU'LL BE EYELESS ON NATIONAL TELEVISION.

WAS THAT SPECTACULAR?

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE

SOME SERIOUS THOUGHT TO MAKING THAT BOY A PARTNER.

IT'D BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT.

THEY WERE WRONG. YOU'RE THE ASSHOLE.

( Bizet's "March of the Toreadors" playing )

DOUBLE TIME.

AND BACKWARDS!

( music stops )

IT'S YOUR CLIENT'S PARTY.

IT'S IN YOUR HONOR. HAVE A LITTLE DIGNITY.

( guys laugh )

( waltz plays )

WHAT IS THAT?

( applause )

TA-DA!

AND THEY SAID THE MAN COULDN'T DANCE.

AND THEY WERE RIGHT. SIR. SIR.

WHERE'S YOUR DATE?

SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT.

- GOT STOOD UP. - I GOT STOOD UP.

OH-HH...

I TOLD YOU I WAS A LONELY GUY.

Steve: HEY, IS THAT COWENS?

- Robin:WHAT'S HE DOING HERE? - Larry:I DON'T KNOW.

I INVITED HIM.

YOU'RE BOTH GOOD LAWYERS. YOU DID YOURSELF PROUD.

HE'S GOT AS MUCH CAUSE TO CELEBRATE AS YOU DO.

ANYHOW, I KNOW YOU'RE BOTH PROFESSIONALS.

YOU WON'T LET YOUR DIFFERENCES

AFFECT A SOCIAL GATHERING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, MAYBE THEY'LL SLUG IT OUT.

WELCOME!

THERE'S A FRIEND OF YOURS.

ARE YOU LOST?

IT'S A PARTY. I WAS INVITED.

THIS PARTY IS IN HONOR OF YOU BEING WHIPPED.

THE ONLY THING WHIPPED AROUND HERE

IS YOUR REPUTATION.

THE CLIENT USED YOU. HE'LL HIRE ME NEXT

AS SOON AS YOU GET DISBARRED.

EH?

ROBIN!

WHY DON'T YOU TELL THE BIMBO TO TAKE A HIKE?

- THAT'S IT! - LET'S GO.

IT'S NOT WORTH IT, ROBIN.

STAY BACK! IT'S BETWEEN US!

IN THE BOATHOUSE.

ROBIN? WE HAVE TO STOP THEM.

LET THEM GET IT OUT OF THEIR SYSTEM.

THEY WON'T HURT EACH OTHER.

WELL?

WELL, WHAT?

WELL, THIS, YOU WINDBAG.

- WE DID IT. - WE DID IT.

WE DID IT.

WE DID IT.

WE DID IT.

WE DID IT!

( laughing )

DID YOU SEE THE LOOK ON THE JUDGE'S FACE

WHEN I ASKED FOR A HEARING

ON THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THE WORD "ASSHOLE"?

WAIT.

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FIGHTING.

MAKE SOME NOISE. DO SOMETHING.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

THEY'RE PROBABLY TALKING IT OUT.

MAYBE NOT.

( laughing )

LET THEM FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. THIS ISN'T ROBIN.

WE FIXED A TRIAL.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!

WE DID NOT FIX A TRIAL.

ALL WE DID WAS STAGE THE PRESENTATION.

WE GAVE THE JURY THE TRUE FACTS,

AND THEY COULD HAVE GONE EITHER WAY.

ALL WE DID WAS TELL EACH OTHER

WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO AND SAY.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

( laughing )

THEY THINK WE'RE THE FASTEST-TALKIN',

QUICKEST-THINKIN',

BADDEST-ASSED LAWYERS IN THE WORLD!

AAH!

DESTRUCTION.

- ( clanging ) - Both: OW!

OW! THAT HURTS!

( crashing )

I LOVE THIS KIND OF HUMAN INTERACTION.

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

I'VE GOT AN INTERVIEW MONDAY.

FOR WHAT?

FOR THE ASSISTANT D.A. JOB.

( crashing )

I'M GOING DOWN THERE.

THEY'RE COMING.

Robin: COWENS!

Both: YOU ASSHOLE!

IT'S OKAY.

IT'S OKAY. HE GAVE UP.

YOU SON OF A BITCH!

HE PUT UP A HELL OF A FIGHT.

YOU KICKED HIS ASS TWICE. I LOVE IT!

DOES HE KNOW HOW TO SWIM?

Torkenson: I TOLD YOU THAT BOY WAS PARTNER MATERIAL.

I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO WAX HIS ASS.

- WE AGREED TO FIRE HIM. - THAT'S WHAT WE VOTED TO DO.

FAMOUS OR NOT, THE MAN'S A BLIGHT ON OUR VERY EXISTENCE.

I WILL NO LONGER ALLOW A BORN-AGAIN PUNK

TO DEGRADE THE REPUTATION OF THIS FIRM.

HE'S FINISHED. WE SHALL NOT WAVER

FROM THE ONLY SOUND DECISION

TO WAFT FROM THESE WALLS IN THE PAST MONTH.

WARREN, TELL THEM.

BASED UPON PROJECTIONS FROM THE NEW CLIENTS

THAT ROBIN WEATHERS HAS BROUGHT IN TO DATE,

THE AVERAGE EARNINGS OF EACH PARTNER

WILL INCREASE THIS YEAR BY $28,000-$32,000.

- I'M DELIGHTED. - THANK YOU, SIR.

I'M SURE YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW EXCITED WE ALL ARE

TO HAVE YOU AS A PARTNER.

I APPRECIATE THAT, AND I HOPE I LIVE UP TO YOUR EXPECTATION.

I PALPITATE AT THE THOUGHT.

THANK YOU. IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME NOW,

I'M MEETING THE DECORATOR ABOUT THE NEW OFFICE.

? FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW ?

? FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW ?

? FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW ?

? WHICH NOBODY CAN DENY... ?

- THANK GOD HE'S DEAD. - WHO?

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, WHO FOUNDED THIS FIRM.

HE'S BEEN DEAD 50 YEARS.

THE LONGER, THE BETTER.

LET'S NOT GET CARRIED AWAY.

HE'S A PARTNER NOW, AND THAT'S THAT.

"STORMY WEATHERS."

COULDN'T WE AT LEAST PUT AN ASTERISK BESIDE HIS NAME?

YOU HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO ANSWER FOR.

A GOOD LITIGATOR IS NEVER WITHOUT AN ANSWER.

MISS JENSON, BRING IT IN, PLEASE.

AND THIS IS?

THE BENOIT CASE.

WE DECIDED TO TURN DOWN THE BENOIT CASE.

Duncan: YES, WE DID. WHY?

UNWINNABLE.

THE MAN WAS CAUGHT WITH THE MURDER WEAPON

AND THE VICTIM'S BLOODSTAINED CLOTHES

UNDER THE SEAT OF HIS CAR.

EXACTLY. UNWINNABLE.

DIABOLICAL.

IT STINKS.

YES, IT DOES. NOT ONLY THAT--

AT THE PROSPECT OF BEING REPRESENTED

BY THE INCENDIARY MR. WEATHERS,

PROFESSOR BENOIT WAS EASILY INDUCED

INTO PLUNKING DOWN A RETAINER OF $75,000.

CRAIG,

HAVE YOU ANY IDEA HOW CYNICAL THIS IS?

WHAT ABOUT OUR OBLIGATION TO THE CLIENT?

OH, YES.

ACTUALLY, I'VE TAKEN A BIT MORE CREDIT THAN I DESERVE.

BENOIT WANTS HIM.

HE DOESN'T WANT ANYBODY ELSE.

YOU TOLD HIM THE BOY'S ONE YEAR OUT OF LAW SCHOOL

WITH ONE TRIAL?

IF THE LITTLE WEASEL STARTS TO SINK,

I'LL BAIL HIM OUT.

WELL, I STILL DON'T LIKE IT.

WHAT NONE OF YOU WANTS TO ADMIT IT IS THE KID'S GOOD.

WE'LL SEE.

- YOU KNOW THE BENOIT CASE? - THE B.U. DOCTOR?

- I AM DEFENDING HIM! - WHAT?

- YOU HEARD IT, ME. - WHY?

THEY'RE SETTING ME UP! IT'S A COMPLETE NO-WIN!

IT'S A GREAT CHANCE. YOU SHOULD BE THRILLED.

THERE COULD BE A DEATH PENALTY.

- NOT FOR THE LAWYER. - FUNNY.

MAYBE I CAN GET HIM TO CONFESS, OR PLEAD GUILTY.

WOULDN'T THAT BE IN VIOLATION

OF HIS MANDATE AS DEFENSE ATTORNEY?

- SOMEWHAT. - UM-HMM.

WHY YOU?

HOW STRANGE YOU SHOULD ASK THAT.

LET ME EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU, MR. WEATHERS.

THROUGH THE VICISSITUDES

OF WHOLLY GRATUITOUS GENETIC ACCIDENTS,

I WAS VISITED WITH EXTREMELY HIGH INTELLIGENCE.

I WAS FURTHER BLESSED, OR BURDENED, AS IT WERE,

WITH CERTAIN PHYSICAL TRAITS

THAT WOULD SUGGEST, GOOD BREEDING.

NOW, IN THIS PROLETARIAN STEW,

WHICH TODAY WE LAUGHINGLY CALL SOCIETY,

THESE ATTRIBUTES ARE NOT ALWAYS ADVANTAGEOUS.

YOU, ON THE OTHER HAND,

ARE THE CURRENT MESSIAH OF THE BLUE-COLLAR,

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE,

A SORT OF PISSED-OFF ABE LINCOLN.

MY STORY, WHICH, BY THE WAY, IS TRUE,

WILL BE BETTER SERVED IF YOU TELL IT.

YOU HAVE TO REALIZE I'M A CREATION OF THE MEDIA.

I'VE ONLY TRIED ONE CASE IN MY ENTIRE CAREER,

AND A MURDER CASE IS A VERY COMPLEX BEAST.

MODESTY IS A BANAL AND SELF-SERVING DEVICE.

IT REALLY DOESN'T BECOME YOU. AND DON'T PATRONIZE ME.

I HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR IT.

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, THIS CASE CAN'T BE WON.

I SAID WHAT I MEANT.

I DON'T HAVE THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE NEEDED

TO RECOGNIZE THE TRAPS AND TRICKS THAT CAN SWAY A VERDICT.

SCOTT MURRAY IS ACTING FOR THE PROSECUTION.

I'M NOT BEING MODEST WHEN I SAY I MAY BE IN OVER MY HEAD.

NONSENSE.

I WAS THERE.

IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE.

THERE?

COME, COME, COME. DON'T BE SO SLOW.

THE TORKENSON CASE.

YES.

YOU WERE REMARKABLY INTUITIVE.

THAT WAS A SIMPLE ASSAULT CASE.

THIS IS JUST A SIMPLE ASSAULT CASE

WITH SOMEWHAT MORE DIRE RESULTS.

IF YOU EQUATE A BLOODY NOSE

WITH A HAMMER CLAW THROUGH THE BRAIN.

A MATTER OF DEGREE ONLY.

YOU HAVE THE GIFT.

IT WAS UNCANNY HOW YOU ANTICIPATED EVERY MOVE,

TURNED EVERY SUBTLETY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL,

THEY LIKED YOU.

YOU HAVE THE COMMON TOUCH.

THEY WANTED YOU TO WIN AND THEY WERE LOOKING

FOR ANY REASON TO GIVE YOU THAT WIN.

THAT IS WHAT I NEED.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE PAID FOR,

AND ACCORDING TO YOUR SUPERIORS,

THAT IS WHAT I WILL GET.

Larry: WHAT A SWEETHEART. SORT OF A CROSS BETWEEN

CHARLES MANSON AND WILLIAM BUCKLEY.

MY GOD, I CAN HEAR MY OPENING STATEMENT NOW:

"I KNOW MY CLIENT HAD A MOTIVE,

HAD OPPORTUNITY, WAS CAUGHT WITH THE MURDER WEAPON

AND THE VICTIM'S BLOODSTAINED CLOTHES,

AND IS A SUPERIOR, OBNOXIOUS, ELITIST SWINE,

WHO MAKES YOU WANT TO THROW UP,

BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO OVERLOOK ALL THAT."

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOURSELF.

BASED ON YOUR WORK IN THE TORKENSON TRIAL,

BENOIT'S LIFE'S IN GOOD HANDS.

WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO WORK.

JO ANN?

JO ANN?

JO ANN?

I'M IN A BIT OF TROUBLE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL YOU.

THAT'S WHY I'M TELLING YOU WHILE YOU'RE ASLEEP.

YOU KNOW HOW I GOT THE TRIAL,

BUT WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW

IS THAT COWENS AND I SET UP THE TRIAL, TOO.

I DON'T WANT TO EXAGGERATE WHAT WE DID.

WE DIDN'T BRIBE THE JUDGE OR THE JURY

OR RIG THE TRIAL,

BUT WE CONSPIRED TO MAKE OURSELVES LOOK GOOD.

"CONSPIRED."

I MEAN, THAT WASN'T WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE DOING,

BUT ANYWAY,

WE SET EACH OTHER UP

SO WE COULD BOTH BE HEROES.

I'M NOT EXCUSING ANYTHING,

BUT I THOUGHT

IT WAS MORE OF A MISDEMEANOR THAN A FELONY.

NO HARM, NO FOUL, YOU KNOW?

YOU STILL ASLEEP?

ANYWAY,

AFTERWARDS I FELT REALLY LOW,

MOSTLY BECAUSE I KNEW YOU WOULD BE

DISAPPOINTED IN ME,

BUT I THOUGHT, "NAH, JUST GO ON.

BE A GOOD GUY,

AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT,"

BUT NOW I'VE BEEN GIVEN A MURDER TRIAL,

AND YOU KNOW WHY?

BECAUSE THE CLIENT SAW ME

IN THE TORKENSON CASE,

AND HE WANTS ME

BECAUSE I WAS SO BRILLIANT.

I JUST FEEL LIKE SUCH A FRAUD

BECAUSE THE TORKENSON TRIAL,

IT SEEMED LIKE A GAME SHOW.

HIGH THEATER, HI-JINKS.

NOW THIS THING COMES ALONG.

IT'S ALMOST BIBLICAL,

BUT, JO ANN, I GOT TO TELL YOU,

I LOVE IT--

THE LIMELIGHT, THE ATTENTION,

BEING ON NATIONAL TV.

I'M SHOCKED.

I'M A JUNKIE.

I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE CASE,

NOT REALLY,

BUT I JUST WANT TO.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS AN IDEALIST,

BUT MAYBE I LOVE GLORY MORE.

WELL--

IT'S BEEN NICE TALKING TO YOU.

YOU'RE A GOOD LISTENER.

OH, ROBIN.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT DOESN'T MATTER

THAT HER BODY WAS NEVER FOUND.

BRAIN TISSUE WAS ALL OVER HER JACKET.

SOMEBODY'S DEAD, AND THE JURY WILL BE

WILLING TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S LIZA WILLIAMS.

PLEASE, LET'S GO OVER YOUR STORY ONE MORE TIME.

SHALL I SAY IT IN HEBRAIC THIS TIME?

OR MAYBE LATIN? THEY DO STILL TEACH LATIN IN LAW SCHOOL?

ACTUALLY, YES. TELL HIM THE LATIN FOR "PAIN IN THE ASS."

"VOX HEMORRHOIDUM?"

VERY GOOD.

THAT PLEBEIAN WIT WILL SERVE US WELL.

KEEP IT UP.

ALL RIGHT, AGAIN.

LIZA WILLIAMS WAS A CALL GIRL IN MY EMPLOY.

SHE WAS BLACKMAILING ME. SHE DISAPPEARED.

HER BLOODSTAINED CLOTHES

AND THE MURDER WEAPON, A HAMMER,

WERE FOUND IN MY CAR. I HAVE NO ALIBI.

AND WE WERE HEARD ARGUING THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED.

DO YOU EVER LISTEN TO YOURSELF? WHAT DOES THIS ADD UP TO?

I'M TELLING YOU THIS FOR THE LAST TIME!

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A GUILTY PLEA.

TO MANSLAUGHTER-- THERE'S A REDUCED SENTENCE.

- DON'T WASTE MY TIME! - YOU DON'T SEEM--

I DON'T UNDERSTAND!

IS THAT WHAT YOU WERE ABOUT TO SAY?

YES.

I UNDERSTAND

EVERY FIBER OF EVERY LITTLE TWITCH

OF EVERY LITTLE NEURON

IN THAT SLY LITTLE MIND OF YOURS.

DON'T EVER TELL ME THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING BEFORE YOU THINK IT.

I UNDERSTAND THE ULTIMATE CONCLUSION

TO EVERY ONE OF THESE LEGAL PEREGRINATIONS.

DID YOU THINK I HADN'T THOUGHT ALL OF THIS OUT?

DID YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO LEAVE IT ALL TO YOU?

DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH.

I KNOW THIS CASE CAN'T BE WON ON THE EVIDENCE.

SUBSTANCE IS NOT ON OUR SIDE, DESPITE MY INNOCENCE.

STYLE...

IS WHAT WILL WIN THIS CASE.

AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE HERE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LIKE?

YOU ARE LIKE ONE OF THOSE CUTE PERFORMING SEALS

THAT PLAYS LITTLE TUNES ON HORNS.

THEY'RE ADORABLE, EVERYBODY LOVES THEM,

BUT DO YOU THINK ANYBODY CARES WHAT THEY PLAY?

NO. THEY JUST LOVE TO SEE THEM

BLOW THEIR LITTLE HORNS.

YOU GO OUT AND START BLOWING YOUR LITTLE HORNS.

IS THIS YOUR VERSION OF A PEP TALK?

VERY GOOD. I'M IMPRESSED.

I AM IMPRESSED.

UNDERSTAND ONE THING, AND WE'LL GET ALONG VERY WELL.

WHEN I SAY SOMETHING, I DON'T WANT AN ARGUMENT.

JUST DO IT.

THERE WILL BE NO PLEA BARGAIN.

WHO IS LUTHER MOSES?

LIZA'S PIMP.

HE'S DISAPPEARED.

AH!

YES, NOW YOU'RE THINKING.

HE KNEW THAT SHE WAS BLACKMAILING OTHERS

AS WELL AS ME.

HE USED TO ACCUSE HER OF HOLDING OUT.

HE HAD MOTIVE AND OPPORTUNITY.

DEMONSTRATE TO THE JURY

THAT HE'S JUST AS LIKELY A SUSPECT AS I AM.

WHY ELSE HAS HE DISAPPEARED?

YOU TELL ME.

AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

ISN'T IT TRUE THAT YOU HAD

SEVERAL ALTERCATIONS WITH MOSES?

- WE HAD AN ARGUMENT. - YOU HAD A BLOODY FIST FIGHT

- AND HE BEAT YOU SENSELESS! - THAT IS RIDICULOUS!

HE HUMILIATED YOU, AND YOU HATED HIS GUTS!

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

NOBODY EVER BEAT ME IN MY LIFE!

TWO PEOPLE SAW THAT BEATING,

LIZA WILLIAMS AND HER MOTHER!

HE BEAT YOU, BENOIT.

HE HUMBLED YOU IN FRONT OF THEM,

AND YOU HATED HIM, AND YOU KILLED HIM,

AND THAT'S WHY HE'S DISAPPEARED!

I PRESUME YOU WERE TAKING

THE PART OF THE PROSECUTOR?

OF COURSE.

YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN.

SINCE WE CANNOT USE MR. MOSES' DISAPPEARANCE,

YOU WILL NEVER MENTION MR. MOSES TO ME AGAIN.

NEVER.

WHAT A WARM GUY.

HE'LL MAKE A GREAT WITNESS.

NOT THINKING OF JUMPING, ARE WE?

NAH. THERE'S A CELTICS GAME TOMORROW NIGHT.

I'LL JUMP FRIDAY.

- TOUGH DAY, HUH? - TOUGH LIFE.

OOH, THAT'S HEAVY.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK?

IF I KNEW WHERE TO START.

WAIT A SEC. I CAN HELP.

OKAY. GO AHEAD, TALK.

( snoring )

YOU HEARD IT ALL, DIDN'T YOU?

- YES, I DID. - WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK THIS IS A REVOLUTIONARY

THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUE WE'VE DEVELOPED HERE.

THIS KIND OF COUNSELING AIN'T CHEAP.

ALL RIGHT.

GIVE ME A QUARTER'S WORTH.

A QUARTER'S WORTH?

DON'T I GET SOME KIND OF A DISCOUNT?

YEAH, FOR A QUARTER, MY ADVICE IS TO JUMP.

WHAT DID YOU WANT FOR A QUARTER?

I WANT YOU TO TELL ME I'M RIGHT.

I CAN'T DO THAT.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT I LOVE YOU.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT I UNDERSTAND.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE ONE OF A KIND,

AND THAT YOU GOT A GOOD HEART.

BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU THINK I'M WRONG?

OF COURSE YOU WERE WRONG.

DON'T COME TO ME FOR ABSOLUTION.

I'M NOT YOUR MOTHER OR A PRIEST.

I'M YOUR LOVER.

YOU'D HAVE TO COME UP JUST SHORT OF MURDER

FOR ME NOT TO SUPPORT YOU.

BUT YOU CAN'T ASK ME TO MAKE IT RIGHT.

JUST GO OUT THERE AND BE A GOOD GUY.

IT'S ALL THAT I CAN TELL YOU.

FAIR?

FAIR.

ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THE CASE?

YES.

- IS HE GUILTY? - HE SAYS NOT.

THEY ALL SAY NOT.

THAT'S WHY THEY ALL HAVE TO BE DEFENDED.

THAT'S JUSTICE.

YEAH, WITH ALL THE JUSTICE THERE IS IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM,

YOU MIGHT AS WELL PLAY "SPIN THE BOTTLE."

WHOEVER IT POINTS TO WINS.

SORRY.

UGH!

THAT'S GREAT!

YOU'VE JUST INVALIDATED MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE.

I THINK I'LL JUMP.

NO, THERE'S A CELTICS GAME TOMORROW NIGHT.

ALL I'M SAYING IS--

LOOK AT ALL THAT WE'VE GOT.

I JUST FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE GIVING SOME OF IT BACK.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE SHOULD BE SAINTS OR MARTYRS.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO LAND SOMEWHERE

BETWEEN MOTHER TERESA AND IMELDA MARCOS.

SORRY.

ALL RIGHT. YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE'LL BE THE FIRST YUPPIE MISSIONARIES,

WITH ALL THE SHOES WE CAN EAT.

IT'S QUEER. IT'S REALLY DUMB.

I LOVE YOU, YOU KNOW?

I KNOW.

IT KEEPS ME GOING.

CANDY MEADE, BENOIT'S FORMER MISTRESS.

CAN'T FIND HER. SHE'S MARRIED AND RELOCATED.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND HER.

WE CAN'T ALLOW THE JURY TO BELIEVE FOR A SECOND

THAT BENOIT'S CAPABLE OF THAT KIND OF VIOLENCE.

IF HE EVER HIT CANDY, THAT'S IT, WE'RE THROUGH.

PUT ANOTHER DETECTIVE ON IT.

DID YOU TALK TO BENOIT'S WIFE?

SHE'S ACTUALLY VERY SUPPORTIVE.

HOW IS BENOIT?

IT WAS ONE OF HIS GOOD DAYS. WARM, CHARMING--

YOU COULD ACTUALLY PUT HIM ON THE STAND

IF HE SHOWED THAT SIDE OF HIMSELF.

THE GUY IS A CHAMELEON. I CAN'T GET A FIX ON HIM.

( Tarzan yell )

DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?

SIT DOWN.

- I FOUND HIM! - WHO?

A PATHOLOGIST-- DR. C.R. PECKHAM.

HE'S WILLING TO STATE THAT BASED ON

THE BLOOD SAMPLE FROM HER JACKET,

LIZA WILLIAMS DIED MORE THAN A WEEK

AFTER SHE WAS SEEN WITH BENOIT.

THAT IS GREAT! PECKHAM'S ONE OF THE BEST.

HE'S GONNA BE GOOD ON THE STAND, TOO.

HE'S FIRM, FEISTY, SENSE OF HUMOR.

THAT BLOWS MURRAY'S PATHOLOGIST RIGHT OUT OF THE WATER.

ALL WE'VE GOT TO DO IS KEEP MURRAY

FROM PAINTING BENOIT AS A VIOLENT WOMANIZER.

- ANYTHING WE MISSED? - I DON'T SEE HOW.

WE EVEN IMPANELED A GOOD JURY.

WE'VE BEEN OVER EVERYTHING 10 TIMES.

I THINK WE'RE READY.

WE'RE READY.

WE'RE READY.

WE'RE READY.

Clerk: ALL RISE!

Bailiff: HEAR YE, HEAR YE.

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH, MY!

ALL YE WHO HAVE BUSINESS BEFORE THE SUPERIOR COURT

IN AND OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK

IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DRAW NEAR.

GIVE YOUR ATTENTION AND YE SHALL BE HEARD.

BE SEATED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, SO LET'S GET TO IT.

MR. MURRAY, MR. WEATHERS.

WE HAD REASONABLE DECORUM IN THE PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT CONTINUE.

BRING THE JURY IN, PLEASE.

Judge: IS THE COMMONWEALTH READY TO OPEN?

Murray: WE ARE, YOUR HONOR.

AND THE DEFENDANT'S COUNSEL, ARE YOU READY?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

VERY WELL. MR. MURRAY, PROCEED.

- GOOD MORNING. - GOOD MORNING.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY,

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING I'M SORRY.

WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DO IS NOT VERY KIND.

I'M GOING TO TAKE 12 VERY FINE PEOPLE,

LEADING GOOD, HAPPY LIVES WITH LOVELY FAMILIES,

AND I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU LIVE THROUGH

THE ULTIMATE SIN OF MAN--

MURDER.

IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE YOU FEEL THE HORROR

LITTLE LIZA WILLIAMS FACED.

I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO CLOSE YOUR EYES

AND HEAR THE SICK SOUND OF CRUSHING BONE

AS THE DEFENDANT REPEATEDLY BLUDGEONED

A HELPLESS 22-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE YOU HEAR

THE HOLLOW CRACKLE OF A BASHED SKULL

AS THE DEFENDANT BEAT AND BEAT AND BEAT HIS PREY!

YOU'LL ALMOST BE ABLE TO SEE

THE SPATTERING OF BLOOD

THAT MUST HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE DEFENDANT

WHEN HE FINISHED THIS ACT OF TERROR.

I'M SORRY, BUT IT'S MY JOB

TO TELL YOU HOW A LIFE ENDED.

IT'S YOUR JOB TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

MR. WEATHERS, DO YOU CARE TO OPEN?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

EVIDENCE.

MM-HMM.

THAT'S TAGGED, YOU KNOW.

HMM.

( people gasp )

Judge: MR. WEATHERS--!

THAT'S HOW A HAMMER SOUNDS.

I'VE NEVER HEARD IT HIT BONE BEFORE,

BUT NEITHER HAS HE.

MR. WEATHERS.

MR. WEATHERS, THAT'S ENOUGH!

SO LET'S SKIP THE ACOUSTICS

AND GET TO THE QUESTION.

- WHO DID IT? - ( jury gasps )

- WHO SWUNG THE HAMMER? - ( jury gasps )

MR. WEATHERS!

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAYS,

"CLOSE YOUR EYES AND HEAR IT."

WELL, HE HAS A GREAT CASE,

AS LONG AS YOU KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED.

THE DEFENDANT SAYS, "KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE THE TRUTH

WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED."

SO KEEP THEM OPEN.

( thumping )

( laughing )

( cheering begins )

( gavel pounding )

Judge: ORDER, ORDER, ORDER!

THAT IS ENOUGH!

YOU PEOPLE IN THE COURTROOM,

THIS IS NOT FENWAY PARK!

MR. WEATHERS,

YOU'RE NOT PULLING THAT IN THIS TRIAL.

ANOTHER STUNT LIKE THAT, AND YOU'LL REGRET IT.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT TABLE!

MR. MURRAY, YOUR FIRST WITNESS.

THE COMMONWEALTH CALLS MRS. MARTHA WILLIAMS TO THE STAND.

MRS. MARTHA WILLIAMS, PLEASE.

ROBIN, IT'S COWENS.

I GUESS HE GOT THE ASSISTANT D.A. JOB.

THAT MURRAY'S A SMART SON OF A BITCH.

FIGURES COWENS KNOWS YOU, KNOWS YOUR STYLE.

DO YOU SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH...

ANYTHING UNUSUAL OCCUR ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 12th?

Martha: LIZA WAS EXTREMELY UPSET.

DO YOU KNOW WHY?

YES.

SHE'D HAD A TERRIBLE ARGUMENT WITH DR. BENOIT.

DO YOU KNOW WHY THIS PARTICULAR ARGUMENT UPSET YOUR DAUGHTER?

SHE SAID DR. BENOIT THREATENED TO KILL HER.

OBJECT, YOU FOOL.

- Murray:DID SHE SAY WHY? - OBJECT!

SHE'D BEEN BLACKMAILING HIM.

HE SAID IF SHE DIDN'T STOP,

- HE'D KILL HER. - NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

OBJECTION!

UNTIMELY, MR. WEATHERS.

I MOVE TO STRIKE, YOUR HONOR.

NO. I'M GOING TO ALLOW IT NOW.

MR. WEATHERS?

I HAVE NO QUESTIONS, YOUR HONOR.

THE WITNESS MAY STEP DOWN.

THEY NEEDED PREDISPOSITION. NOW THEY'VE GOT IT.

YOUR HONOR, THE COMMONWEALTH CALLS

DR. CHARLES PECKHAM TO THE STAND.

- WHAT'S HE DOING? - CHECK THE WITNESS LIST.

I THOUGHT IT WAS OUR LIST.

ROBIN, I'M SORRY.

WHY'S HE CALLING OUR WITNESS?

HE'S GOING TO DISCREDIT OUR EXPERT.

IT'S THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE BOOK.

- OBJECT. - I CAN'T.

THEY'VE ACCEPTED THE WITNESS LIST.

DO YOU SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH,

THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?

BUT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE DEGRADATION PROPENSITY

OF AMORPHOUS MATERIALS, ARE YOU NOT?

I'M A PATHOLOGIST, THAT'S ALL.

YOUR HONOR, I'M TERRIBLY EMBARRASSED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY, I'M SORRY.

I ASSUMED DR. PECKHAM WAS QUALIFIED FOR THIS CASE.

IN LIGHT OF THE FACT

THAT HE HAS NO BACKGROUND IN POLYMER CHEMISTRY,

I'M AFRAID I'D BE LESS THAN HONEST

TO HOLD HIM OUT AS AN EXPERT.

I'M VERY SORRY.

WHAT'S THIS GUY GOING TO DO TO US NEXT?

VERY WELL. DR. PECKHAM, YOU'RE DISMISSED.

WOULD YOU CARE TO BRING ONE OF YOUR OTHER EXPERTS?

I COUNTED ON DR. PECKHAM'S TESTIMONY

TAKING UP THE AFTERNOON.

HOWEVER, I DO HAVE MR. HARVEY BEALS,

WHO WOULD LIKE AN EARLY APPEARANCE.

HE'S NOT SCHEDULED FOR TWO WEEKS.

WE HAVEN'T EVEN REVIEWED HIM YET.

DO YOU SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH...

...YOU SAID THE GIRL TRIED TO LEAVE DR. BENOIT'S COMPANY?

OH, YES. SHE'D HAD ENOUGH OF HIM.

MR. BEALS,

DID DR. BENOIT GET UPSET AT THIS POINT?

YES, HE DID. HE SAID THAT HE KNEW

HOW TO KEEP WHORES FROM LYING.

Murray: I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. BEALS.

IT'S HARVEY, ISN'T IT?

MAY I CALL YOU HARVEY?

THANK YOU.

YOU JUST HAPPEN TO BE THE ONLY PERSON

WHO HEARD THAT STATEMENT?

PROBABLY. THE BAR WAS CLOSING,

AND I THINK I WAS THE ONLY PERSON AROUND THEM.

HAD YOU BEEN DRINKING, SIR?

- NO. - NO?

YOU JUST HAPPENED TO BE IN A BAR UNTIL CLOSING,

AND YOU DIDN'T DRINK? COME ON, HARVEY.

ACTUALLY, I'D JUST ARRIVED. I'M THE NIGHT CLEANER.

( courtroom laughing )

UM-HMM. I SEE.

HOW OLD ARE YOU, MR. BEALS?

I'M 72.

AND HOW'S YOUR HEARING?

FINE.

( garbled ) HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT?

I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T GET THAT.

HE ASKED IF I HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT.

( courtroom laughing )

NO MORE QUESTIONS, YOUR HONOR.

MY HEARING, I PRESUME.

( laughter grows )

News anchor: ...continues throughout much of the Midwest,

with rivers cresting near record levels

in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota.

So far, 11 communities along the Mississippi River

have suffered almost complete inundation,

with dams threatening to give way in numerous others.

On the local scene, the prosecution

has rested its case in the Benoit murder trial...

HI.

I'M LOOKING FOR A GUY NAMED "STORMY" WEATHERS.

- DO YOU KNOW HIM? -NEVER HEARD OF HIM.

NOW, I HEARD THAT HE'S AN ACE LAWYER

AND THAT HE LIVES RIGHT HERE.

NO, I LIVE HERE. BARNEY RUBBLE.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

WHAT'S THAT?

A PRESENT.

ACTUALLY, IT'S SORT OF

A GOOD LUCK CHARM.

YOU BRONZED MY CARTOON!

THIS IS INCREDIBLE!

LOOK AT ALL THAT DETAIL.

THIS IS GREAT.

I LOVE IT.

COME HERE.

I THINK IT PUTS THE WHOLE THING INTO PERSPECTIVE.

WELL, IT DOES SUM UP

THE WAY I'VE BEEN HANDLING THIS CASE.

YOU KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, DON'T YOU?

WHAT?

WHY DO YOU THINK I CAME HERE TODAY

LOOKING FOR "STORMY" WEATHERS?

EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FOR "STORMY" WEATHERS.

I FAKED MY WAY INTO A MURDER TRIAL,

ONLY THIS TIME I DON'T HAVE A BLUEPRINT.

YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE TORKENSON CASE OBJECTIVELY.

YOU WON BECAUSE YOU USED YOUR IMAGINATION.

YOU JUST DISGUISED IT AS "STORMY" WEATHERS.

YOU CAME UP WITH THE "ASS" DEFENSE.

YOU SEIZED ON WILBY'S JOURNAL

AND TURNED IT INTO A CREDIBILITY ISSUE.

YOU INVENTED THE WHOLE SUZIE WALKER DEFENSE.

YOU WERE THINKING ON YOUR FEET.

THAT'S WHAT WON IT FOR YOU.

YOU WERE "STORMY" WEATHERS.

THAT'S QUITE AN ANALYSIS.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ACCURATE,

BUT IT'S ASTUTE.

ACTUALLY, I HAD SOME COUNSELING.

FROM WHO?

MATT COWENS.

YOU WENT TO SEE COWENS?

NO, HE CAME TO SEE ME.

HE COULDN'T COME TO SEE YOU.

THAT WOULD BE UNETHICAL.

HE THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD FIND THAT IRONIC.

BUT HE MEANT IT.

HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT YOU.

- YEAH. - HE'S ALSO ANNOYED.

HE SAYS THAT BENOIT

ENTRUSTED HIS LIFE TO "STORMY" WEATHERS.

HE PAID FOR "STORMY" WEATHERS,

AND HE SUGGESTS

THAT YOU GIVE HIM "STORMY" WEATHERS.

GOOD GRIEF.

HE SAYS IT DOESN'T MATTER.

THEY'RE GOING TO KICK YOUR BUTT ANYWAY.

- HE SAID THAT? - HE SAID IT.

THEY THINK THEY CAN HANDLE "STORMY" WEATHERS?

WELL, HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT'S THE NEWS, GOOD AND BAD?

I STARTED REHEARSALS FOR THE REVERE WHARF THEATER.

- THAT'S BAD. - THAT'S GOOD.

IT'S A GOOD PART.

- DO THEY HAVE SEATS NOW? - YES. LITTLE ONES.

THE SUNSHINE SCHOOL CLOSES IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

- THAT'S BAD. - THAT'S BAD.

GET STARTED ON IT RIGHT AWAY.

THIS IS A LOT OF WORK.

WE CAN'T START A NEW CASE NOW.

IT'S NOT A CASE, IT'S A MOTION.

GET LEVITT TO WRITE IT. HE OWES ME A FAVOR.

I WANT IT FILED IN TWO DAYS. GO.

MR. WEATHERS, YOUR FIRST WITNESS.

THE DEFENSE CALLS DR. CHARLES PECKHAM.

THIS IS THE SAME DOCTOR--

YES, YOUR HONOR, THE VERY SAME DOCTOR

MR. MURRAY ATTEMPTED TO DISCREDIT EARLIER.

DOCTOR.

Judge: I REMIND YOU, DOCTOR, YOU'RE STILL UNDER OATH.

Peckham: YES, YOUR HONOR.

NOW, DOCTOR,

MR. MURRAY DISMISSED YOU AS AN EXPERT

BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T SPECIALIZE IN POLYMER CHEMISTRY.

-IS THAT RIGHT? - YES.

FINE.

COULD YOU KINDLY TELL THE COURT HOW MUCH YAK MANURE

IS DEPOSITED ANNUALLY ON THE PLAINS OF RAPSHU?

WHAT? I OBJECT!

THIS IS GOING SOMEPLACE, COUNSELOR?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

WILL YOU TRY AND GET THERE IN A HURRY?

DOCTOR?

I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN YAK MANURE.

COULD YOU TELL US THEN THE AMOUNT OF BAT GUANO

ACCUMULATED MONTHLY

BY THE FLAPPED-WING CHILEAN FRUIT BAT?

I OBJECT.

WHAT DOES BAT GUANO AND YAK MANURE

HAVE TO DO WITH THIS CASE?

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THIS CASE.

IT HAS AS MUCH TO DO WITH IT AS POLYMER CHEMISTRY--

EXACTLY NOTHING! IT IS ALL A LOT OF CRAP!

THIS CASE IS NOT ABOUT POLYMER CHEMISTRY.

IT IS ABOUT MURDER AND BLOOD.

THIS GENTLEMAN HAS STUDIED BLOOD AND BLOOD SAMPLES

FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS. HE STUDIED THE VICTIM'S BLOOD

AND THE BLOODSTAINED JACKET. HE KNOWS DAMN WELL

WHAT THOSE BLOODSTAINS REVEAL!

AS FOR MR. MURRAY'S FORAY INTO POLYMER CHEMISTRY

AND THE DEGRADATION PROPENSITY OF AMORPHOUS MATERIALS,

YOUR HONOR, WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT WAS--

THAT WAS A LOT OF YAK MANURE.

( laughter; applause )

( gavel pounding ) ORDER, ORDER, ORDER!

YOU CONCLUDED, LIEUTENANT SOSHA,

THAT SINCE THE MURDER WEAPON

AND BLOODSTAINED CLOTHES WERE FOUND IN HIS CAR,

THE MURDER MUST HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY DR. BENOIT?

THAT WAS STRONG EVIDENCE, YES.

BUT YOU DIDN'T FIND ANY FINGERPRINTS?

NO.

DOES IT SEEM STRANGE THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE SO CAREFUL

TO WIPE AWAY EVERY SINGLE FINGERPRINT

AND THEN LEAVE THE MURDER WEAPON IS HIS CAR

FOR SOMEONE TO FIND?

IT'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL.

UNUSUAL?

ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE ELSE

PUT THOSE ITEMS UNDER THE DEFENDANT'S CAR SEAT?

IT'S POSSIBLE, BUT WHY DIDN'T HE CALL THE POLICE?

HE KNEW THE STUFF WAS IN THE CAR.

IT WAS RIGHT UNDER HIM.

ISN'T IT POSSIBLE HE DIDN'T KNOW?

HE WAS SITTING RIGHT OVER IT.

SO IT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS FOR HIM TO HAVE NOT KNOWN?

ABSOLUTELY.

THEN IT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS FOR SOMEONE NOT TO KNOW

HE WAS SITTING OVER A CAGED RABBIT?

SOMEONE LIKE YOU, LIEUTENANT SOSHA?

( laughter )

IT'S A RABBIT?

- THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. -IS IT?

THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT WE'LL FIND

IN MR. MURRAY'S TRIAL BAG.

( laughter grows )

OH, MY GOD. THAT BOY!

( buzzing )

WE WILL ASSUME MR. MURRAY

DIDNOTKNOW THIS WAS IN THERE.

OR DID YOU?

( laughing continues )

YOUR HONOR, PLEASE!

DON'T LOOK AT ME. IT AIN'T MINE!

( burst of laughter )

( buzzing stops )

( buzzing )

( buzzing stops )

IT'S A LONG STORY.

CANDY MEADE-- I FOUND HER.

MAY WE HAVE A MINUTE, PLEASE?

- TAKE TWO, MR. WEATHERS. - THANK YOU.

LIEUTENANT, YOU'RE DISMISSED.

IT'S GREAT. HE NEVER LAID A HAND ON HER.

IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

SHE SAYS SHE BULLIED HIM. HE WAS AFRAID OF HER.

LOOK AT THIS!

THAT'S INCREDIBLE!

THERE'S MORE. HE NEVER MADE LOVE TO HER.

HE COULDN'T GET IT UP. HE WAS MR. LIMP.

- BENOIT? - PURE PASTA.

SHE SAYS HE TOOK HER TO ALL THE BIG FUNCTIONS

AND TOLD EVERYBODY WHAT A STUD HE WAS.

GET THIS-- SHE SAYS SHE HAS A PIMP

AND HER PIMP BEAT THE HELL OUT OF BENOIT.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

THIS IS GREAT. WILL SHE TESTIFY?

- SHE SAYS SHE WILL. - YES!

( Benoit laughing )

THIS IS TOO FUNNY.

THE PROSECUTION IS DEPICTING YOU AS A MONSTER

WHO PISTOL-WHIPS WITH A HARD-ON.

CANDY MEADE CAN DEFUSE THAT.

SHE CAN MAKE YOU LOOK HARMLESS.

YES, BUT THIS PICTURE IS DOCTORED.

IT ISN'T EVEN ME.

DOUG, THAT'S CRAZY. NOW, LISTEN--

NO, YOU LISTEN TO ME.

YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY ASK THIS POOR LITTLE PSYCHOTIC GIRL

TO RECITE THESE LIES.

SHE CAN HELP OUR CASE.

SHE CAN'T HELP IT. SHE'S LYING.

I BROKE OFF THE LIAISON.

IT'S A VERY SAD ATTEMPT TO HUMILIATE ME.

DOUG,

IMPOTENCE IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

( ripping photo )

ROBIN, WE'VE GOT TO GO.

GUY SHOULD BE WEAVING BASKETS SOMEWHERE.

ROBIN, COME ON.

DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR 12-YEAR FRIENDSHIP,

DID YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE

THE BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS OF DR. BENOIT?

I DID.

ARE THOSE BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS CONSISTENT

WITH THE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR

HE IS BEING CHARGED WITH TODAY?

THEY ARE NOT.

DOUG MAY BE MERCURIAL,

BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE A VIOLENT BONE IN HIS BODY.

ANYBODY WHO'S MET HIM KNOWS THAT.

THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR WITNESS.

NO QUESTIONS.

THE WITNESS MAY STEP DOWN.

MR. WEATHERS?

WE ARE GOING TO BRING THIS TRIAL TO A RAPID CONCLUSION.

THE DEFENSE WOULD LIKE TO CALL OUR NEXT WITNESS,

THE VICTIM, LIZA WILLIAMS.

- OBJECTION! I OBJECT! - DO YOU, MR. MURRAY?

THEN YOU CAN OBJECT TO THE GIRL'S FACE,

BECAUSE SHE IS ON HER WAY UP.

COUNSELOR--

THE REASON A BODY WAS NEVER FOUND

IS BECAUSE LIZA WILLIAMS NEVER DIED.

SHE IS ONE HER WAY UP THESE STAIRS,

AND IN 15 SECONDS, LIZA WILLIAMS

IS GOING TO WALK THROUGH THOSE DOORS.

( footsteps approaching )

SORRY.

- TRAFFIC. - ( courtroom chuckles )

I GUESS I WAS WRONG.

LIZA WILLIAMS IS NOT COMING THROUGH THAT DOOR.

BUT EVERY ONE OF YOU LOOKED.

YOU ALL WATCHED THAT DOOR.

IF YOU LOOKED,

YOU MUST HAVE THOUGHT FOR A SPLIT SECOND

THAT SHE JUST MIGHT.

AND IF YOU THOUGHT FOR THE SLIGHTEST FRACTION

THAT SHE COULD COME THROUGH THAT DOOR,

THEN YOU HAVE A REASONABLE DOUBT.

IF YOU HAVE A REASONABLE DOUBT,

YOU MUST FIND THE DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY!

NOW, YOU REMEMBER--

WHEN YOU GO BACK INTO THAT ROOM

TO DECIDE MY CLIENT'S FATE,

REMEMBER TO ASK YOURSELF

ONE HARD, HONEST QUESTION--

DID YOU LOOK?

( applause )

HE DOES HAVE A CERTAIN FLAIR.

ORDER.

THIS COURT IS ADJOURNED UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING.

ROBIN!

ROBIN!

I THINK HE DID IT.

HE NEVER LOOKED AT THE DOOR.

THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, DOUG.

IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.

EVERY PERSON IN THAT COURTROOM LOOKED.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON COULDN'T HELP BUT LOOK.

- IT WAS COMPELLING. - I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE,

YOUR THOUGHT PROCESSES

ARE SO TRANSPARENT, THEY'RE LAUGHABLE.

NOT THAT IT WASN'T A GOOD TRICK.

IT WAS QUITE CLEVER.

IT'S JUST THE KIND OF CHEAP THEATRICS

THAT MIGHT WIN IT FOR US.

INDEED I MAY NOT EVEN HAVE TO TESTIFY.

Robin:RUBBISH.

YOU CAN GET YOURSELF ANOTHER LAWYER, PAL.

ROBIN, TAKE IT EASY!

ON WHAT BASIS WILL YOU JUSTIFY WITHDRAWAL?

LACK OF DISCLOSURE. YOU SAID YOU WERE INNOCENT.

IF I HAD KNOWN YOU WERE GUILTY

I HAVE CHOSEN A DIFFERENT COURSE, OR REFUSED THE CASE.

BUT I AM INNOCENT.

I HAVE NEVER CONCEALED ANYTHING, HAVE I, GENTLEMEN?

WELL, SPEAK UP.

I HAVE MAINTAINED MY INNOCENCE FROM DAY ONE,

AND I STILL MAINTAIN IT.

NO ONE HERE HAS HEARD ME SAY

ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY.

ROBIN, HE'S RIGHT.

GO AHEAD. WITHDRAW.

I WILL GET A MISTRIAL,

AND YOU WILL GET A DISBARMENT.

I GUARANTEE IT.

YOU REALLY ARE BLOATED WITH SELF-IMPORTANCE, AREN'T YOU?

DON'T PROVOKE ME.

OTHER PEOPLE HAVE PROVOKED ME--

LIKE LIZA WILLIAMS AND LUTHER MOSES?

( laughs ) I WAS ABOUT TO SAY,

"AND LIVED TO REGRET IT."

DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK

THAT YOU CAN PROD ME INTO A CONFESSION?

OH, YOU REALLY ARE AMUSING.

I'M SICK OF YOU, BENOIT.

I'M SICK OF SEEING YOU PRANCE AROUND

LIKE SOME RIDICULOUS PEACOCK.

HAVE YOU...

ANY IDEA...

WHAT IT TAKES TO KILL A HUMAN BEING?

I DON'T MEAN ONE BRUTE BASHING ANOTHER BRUTE'S SKULL

OUT OF PRIMITIVE PASSION.

I MEAN THE KIND OF MEASURED, DISPASSIONATE ACTION

THAT COMES FROM ABSOLUTE CLARITY OF MIND,

TRANSCENDS RATIONAL THOUGHT.

THE KIND OF ACTION THAT SPRINGS

FROM ABSOLUTE NECESSITY,

UNCLOUDED BY THE RESTRAINTS OF CONSCIENCE,

MERCY, PITY.

THE KIND OF ACTION THAT ALLOWS ONE

TO TAKE A COMMON, ORDINARY HAMMER

AND WITH CLINICAL PRECISION, SPLIT A SKULL SO CLEANLY

THAT THE CRANIUM CRACKS RIGHT THROUGH THE MEDULLA,

ALLOWING THE CLAW OF THE HAMMER

TO BE USED TO PRY BACK THE SKULL CLEANLY,

EXPOSING THE BRAIN,

WHILE THE SUBJECT REMAINS ALIVE,

EVEN AWARE.

SUCH A MAN IS TO BE ENVIED,

REVERED,

AND MUCH FEARED,

NEVER PARALYZED BY...

IMPOTENCE OF WILL.

LUTHER MOSES MAY WELL HAVE ENCOUNTERED SUCH A MAN

AND LIZA WILLIAMS,

AND LIZA WILLIAMS' MOTHER MUST FEAR SUCH A MAN.

EVEN YOU MAY ENCOUNTER SUCH A MAN SOMEDAY.

DO NOT INVOLVE YOURSELF IN BETRAYAL, MR. WEATHERS.

( laughing ) BUT IF YOU IMAGINE THAT I AM SUCH A MAN...

THEN YOUR JUDGMENT IS CLOUDED INDEED.

I MERELY TELL YOU THIS SO YOU KNOW

THE SORT OF MAN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

I AM A PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LITERATURE,

IN SHORT, A SOMEWHAT DISAGREEABLE

BUT BENIGN ENGLISH TEACHER,

A PERCEPTIVE BUT INNOCENT MAN,

SO, DO LET'S GET ON WITH IT, GENTLEMEN.

GOOD DAY TO YOU ALL.

OH, MY GOD.

THAT WAS QUITE A SHOW.

SHOW? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

HE RIPPED HER SKULL OPEN.

GOD KNOWS WHAT HE DID TO MOSES

AND WHAT HE'S GONNA DO TO LIZA'S MOTHER.

HE DIDN'T SAY THAT. I THINK HE WANTS A MISTRIAL.

THE ACQUITTAL RATIO GOES UP DRAMATICALLY IN SECOND TRIALS.

YOU KNOW THAT. HE KNOWS THAT.

YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO BASIS WHATSOEVER FOR WITHDRAWAL.

HE ADMITTED NOTHING.

HE THREATENED MRS. WILLIAMS' LIFE!

WE'RE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COURT,

WE'RE OBLIGATED TO REVEAL THAT.

IT WAS A HYPOTHETICAL STATEMENT,

A VEILED THREAT AT BEST.

MAYBE HE WANTS TO BE GUILTY.

THIS IMPLIED VIOLENCE IS CONTRADICTORY

TO HIS ESTABLISHED BEHAVIOR.

THAT'S THE WEAK LINK FOR THE PROSECUTION.

THE GUY HASN'T SHOWN THE SLIGHTEST TENDENCY TO VIOLENCE.

THE TRUTH IS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH IS,

WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

I'M GOING HOME.

THIS ISN'T FUN ANYMORE.

I'M SORRY, ROBIN,

BUT THEORIES DON'T MEAN THAT MUCH TO ME.

I JUST KEEP SEEING THAT POOR WOMAN.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD ME ALL THAT.

YOU'RE RIGHT. I SHOULDN'T HAVE.

YEAH, YOU SHOULD HAVE.

WHY CAN'T YOU MAKE HIM PLEAD INSANITY?

THAT'S WHAT HE IS.

ANYONE WHO CAN THINK OF SUCH A THING--

I CAN'T MAKE HIM DO ANYTHING.

I CAN EITHER DEFEND HIM

OR WITHDRAW AND PROBABLY BE DISBARRED.

THEN BE DISBARRED.

I'D RATHER SEE YOU BE DISBARRED THAN HAVE

ANYTHING TO DO WITH LETTING THIS MAN GO.

IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO?

NO.

WHAT GOOD WILL THAT DO?

THERE'LL ONLY BE A MISTRIAL,

AND HE'LL PROBABLY GET OFF ANYWAY.

THEY MAY FIND HIM GUILTY.

IT'S STILL VERY CLOSE,

AND HE MAY BE INNOCENT.

YOU BELIEVE THAT?

NO.

Man: JO ANN!

JODIE'S GETTING REALLY HOT. COME ON!

I'M COMING! TWO MINUTES, OKAY?

I'VE GOT TO GO.

I'LL SEE YOU LATER?

I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK I JUST GOT TO LET YOU DO

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

I CAN'T HELP, AND I CAN'T DEAL WITH THAT.

IT SOUNDS SERIOUS.

IT'S NOT.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT SERIOUS FOR US.

I'LL SEE YOU WHEN IT'S OVER?

MEANING YOU'RE NOT COMING TOMORROW?

I DON'T THINK SO.

JUST PROMISE ME ONE THING--

THAT YOU'LL TRY YOUR BEST

TO LET THE TRUTH COME OUT.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT, ISN'T IT?

IN FAIRY TALES.

SO MAKE THIS ONE COME TRUE.

YOU CAN DO IT.

YOU'RE "STORMY" WEATHERS.

I'LL SEE YOU.

Bailiff: HERE YOU GO, MR. WEATHERS.

DON'T DO ANYTHING I WOULDN'T DO.

THANK YOU, SIR.

HA HA HA!

EE-EE-HHHH!

EE-EE-EEHHHHHHH!

THE VIBRATOR.

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

I'LL TELL YOU, YOU ARE GOOD.

I'VE BEEN HERE NEARLY 20 YEARS.

YOU'RE THE SLIPPERIEST ONE I EVER SEEN.

I MEAN, RABBITS, MISSING BODIES, YAK SHIT.

YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS GUY OFF.

YOU'VE GOT THIS JURY SNOWED.

I'M OUT OF HERE. I'LL SEE YOU.

OH, GOD.

MR. WEATHERS?

YOU LOOK LIKE HELL.

I'M GOING TO GO WASH UP.

YOU TURNED GRUEL INTO CHOCOLATE MOUSSE.

YOU SHOULD BE EXULTANT. WHAT'S HAPPENED?

I THINK I'M ABOUT TO GET A PSYCHOTIC ACQUITTED.

GO CLEAN UP, AND COME TO MY OFFICE.

YES, MA'AM.

YOU'RE AS NAIVE AS THE DAY YOU WALKED IN HERE.

THEY'RE ALMOST ALWAYS GUILTY.

BUT ALMOST ALWAYS CONVICTED.

BENOIT MAY WALK.

SO, YOU'VE DONE A GOOD JOB.

YOU'VE UPHELD YOUR OATH.

I KNOW.

CODE OF LEGAL ETHICS SAY THAT I MUST DO

EVERYTHING I CAN WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LAW

TO GET AN ACQUITTAL.

AND THE DILEMMA IS?

MY SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG SAY THAT I SHOULDN'T.

HOW CAN THE ETHICAL THING NOT BE MORAL?

BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT IS,

AND EVEN "STORMY" WEATHERS

CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

WOULD THIS BE THAT EASY FOR YOU?

NO.

THIS IS ABOUT AS BRUTAL AS IT EVER GETS.

ACTUALLY...

I HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION EARLY ON IN MY CAREER.

IT WASN'T LIFE-INVOLVING, BUT IMPORTANT.

I FOLLOWED THE CODE.

THE RESULTS WERE SOMEWHAT TRAGIC.

I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN IT.

THE WOUNDS PILE UP.

AFTER A WHILE, YOU ARE AFRAID

YOU'RE NOTHING BUT SCAR TISSUE.

WELL, ENOUGH HOMILIES FROM AUNT ROBERTA.

I UNDERSTAND HE DID NOT ADMIT HIS GUILT.

NO.

AND HE DID NOT TELL YOU DIRECTLY

HE WAS GOING TO HARM MRS. WILLIAMS.

NO.

WELL, THEN AS FAR AS I CAN SEE,

YOUR CHOICES ARE QUITE SIMPLE.

YOU DO YOUR BEST TO GET HIM OFF,

OR YOU GET HIM TO CONFESS.

WHAT?

THAT'S WITHIN YOUR MANDATE.

GET HIM TO ADMIT HIS GUILT.

"LET THE TRUTH COME OUT--"

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, RIGHT?

RIGHT.

I STILL BELIEVE THAT.

DR. BENOIT?

WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE CHISELS

TO ONE ANOTHER AGAIN, ARE WE?

IT'S GETTING WEARISOME.

NO, WE'RE NOT. WE HAVE TO DECIDE

WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO TESTIFY.

I WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT I TESTIFY.

DO WE HAVE IT WON?

YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT A JURY'S GONNA DO.

IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.

YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME IF YOU CAN, AREN'T YOU?

WELL, MAYBE I SHOULDN'T TESTIFY.

I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD.

YOU WON'T BE A GOOD WITNESS.

I'LL BE AS GOOD AS I NEED TO BE.

IS THAT YOUR DECISION?

YES.

YES, I THINK SO.

ALL RIGHT,

BUT I MUST WARN YOU MURRAY IS BRILLIANT,

TRULY.

THE EMPHASIS,

FOR MY BENEFIT, ON "TRULY."

YOU'RE PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS NOW.

CONGRATULATIONS,

BUT I AM BRILLIANT, TOO.

OR HADN'T I TOLD YOU?

Bailiff: DO YOU SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH,

THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?

I DO.

BE SEATED.

WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?

MY NAME IS DOUGLAS BENOIT.

AND YOUR OCCUPATION?

I'M AN PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LITERATURE AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SO EMPLOYED?

14 YEARS.

ARE YOU MARRIED, DR. BENOIT?

YES, I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 19 YEARS.

THAT IS MY WIFE SITTING OVER THERE.

I THANK GOD THAT THROUGH ALL THIS,

SHE STILL LOVES ME.

YOUR MARRIAGE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, THEN?

IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY LIFE.

SIR, DID YOU HAVE AN AFFAIR

WITH LIZA WILLIAMS?

YES, I AM ASHAMED TO ADMIT THAT I DID.

I'M A VAIN MAN, MR. WEATHERS.

I HAVE TROUBLE IN RESISTING THE ATTENTION OF WOMEN,

BUT DESPITE THE CONTRADICTION,

I LOVE MY WIFE, I ALWAYS HAVE.

DR. BENOIT, WHERE WERE YOU

ON THE NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 12th?

I WAS AT MY HOME.

WITH YOUR WIFE?

NO. SHE WAS AWAY VISITING HER SISTER.

YOU ARE AWARE, SIR, ARE YOU NOT,

THAT THIS WAS THE NIGHT

OF LIZA WILLIAMS' DISAPPEARANCE?

YES, I AM.

AND DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION

PERTAINING TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LIZA WILLIAMS?

I SWEAR I DON'T.

I SAW HER THE EVENING SHE DISAPPEARED,

BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN HER AGAIN SINCE THEN.

YOU ARE ALSO AWARE THAT THE MURDER WEAPON

WAS FOUND IN YOUR CAR?

I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT THERE.

SOMEONE HAD TO HAVE PUT IT THERE,

SOMEONE WHO WANTED THE GIRL'S DEATH LINKED TO ME.

OBVIOUSLY HE...

OR SHE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.

SIR,

DID YOU KILL LIZA WILLIAMS?

NO, I DID NOT.

I KNOW THAT I WAS AT HOME ALONE.

I HAVE NO ALIBIS OR ANYTHING,

BUT IF YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING,

THEN YOU DON'T NEED AN ALIBI.

I AM INNOCENT.

ALL I HAVE IS MY WORD,

BUT I AM INNOCENT.

THANK YOU, DR. BENOIT.

YOUR WITNESS.

YOUR HONOR, ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.

BRING THAT BRIEF TO JO ANN.

Judge: MR. MURRAY?

Murray: DR. BENOIT,

I TAKE IT BY YOUR TESTIMONY,

YOU'RE A MAN WITH A RATHER HEAVY LIBIDO.

OBJECTION.

HE TESTIFIED AS TO SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS

WITH LIZA WILLIAMS.

HIS SEX DRIVE, OR LACK OF IT

HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE.

I WANT TO KNOW WHY HE SPENT TIME WITH THE VICTIM.

Judge: I'LL ALLOW IT.

DOCTOR?

I DO NOT DENY HAVING HAD SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH THE GIRL,

NOR DO I DENY OTHER INDISCRETIONS

WHICH BEAR UPON MY SENSE OF FIDELITY,

BUT I DID NOT MURDER ANYBODY.

I COULD NOT EVEN IMAGINE...

THAT KIND OF VIOLENCE.

I SEE. AND DURING YOUR MARRIAGE, SIR,

HOW MANY OTHER WOMEN HAVE YOU SLEPT WITH?

-OBJECTION! - SUSTAINED.

"HE UNWILLING TO DEFEND HIS HONOR

IS NOT A MAN."

HENRY DAVID THOREAU SAID THAT.

"YABBA DABBA DOO." FREDERICK FLINTSTONE SAID THAT. SO WHAT?

( courtroom laughs )

ASK QUESTIONS, MR. MURRAY.

A MAN SHOULD DEFEND HIS HONOR,

SHOULDN'T HE, DR. BENOIT?

YES, I THINK HE SHOULD.

IF YOU WERE WRONGED,

WOULD YOU PASSIVELY ACCEPT IT?

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK NOT.

AND, IN FACT, WHEN LUTHER MOSES WRONGED YOU,

YOU DIDN'T LIE DOWN FOR THAT, DID YOU?

OBJECTION.

YOU PHYSICALLY ATTACKED HIM.

OBJECTION. PRIOR ACTS ARE INADMISSIBLE.

- SUSTAINED. - SORRY.

HE'S BADGERING. THAT'S WHAT BENOIT WANTS.

HE'S BLOWING IT.

LIZA WILLIAMS WRONGED YOU, DIDN'T SHE?

- I SUPPOSE. - YOU SUPPOSE?

SHE BLACKMAILED YOU, EXPLOITED YOU, TAUNTED YOU.

WHAT'S HE DOING?

HE'S MAKING BENOIT LOOK SYMPATHETIC, DAMN IT.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS?

IT'S THE HAMMER THAT WAS FOUND IN MY CAR.

EVER SEE IT BEFORE THIS TRIAL?

NO.

EVER HOLD IT COMFORTABLY IN YOUR HAND THE WAY YOU ARE NOW?

OBJECTION! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

HE'S PUT THE HAMMER IN HIS HANDS

TO FACILITATE THE PICTURE FOR THE JURY

WHEN HE ASKS THEM LATER TO CLOSE THEIR EYES AND IMAGINE IT!

THEY'LL BETTER ABLE TO BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY SEEN IT!

YOU'VE MADE YOUR OBJECTION!

MY OBJECTION IS JUST BEGINNING!

- SIDEBAR. - NO, ON THE RECORD.

HE HAS COMMITTED GROSS MISCONDUCT

TO GET ME TO MOVE FOR A MISTRIAL

BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE CAN'T WIN.

HE HAS INTRODUCED EVIDENCE HE KNOWS TO BE FALSE.

HE KNOWS MY CLIENT IS NOT VIOLENT.

THE STATE PSYCHIATRIST CALLED THE DEFENDANT "TIMID,"

"SUBMISSIVE"!

HE KNOWS MY CLIENT DID NOT ATTACK LUTHER MOSES.

TWO EYEWITNESS SAW HIM COWER FROM THE CONFRONTATION!

I DID NOT COWER.

HE SAYS HOW COMFORTABLE THE HAMMER LOOKS IN HIS HAND.

BUT DOES HE TELL THEM THE TRACE OF VOMIT ON IT?

DOES HE MENTION THAT WHEN POLICE

FIRST SHOWED HIM THE BLOODSTAINED HAMMER

HE BECAME SO QUEASY HE THREW UP?

- HE'S TESTIFYING! - YOU TESTIFIED, TOO,

AND YOU LIED!

ALL THESE FALSE IMPLICATIONS!

THIS IS A LAST MINUTE GROPE

TO DEPICT MY CLIENT AS A VIOLENT WOMANIZER

WHEN HE KNOWS THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

- DON'T PRESUME WHAT I KNOW! -IT'S IN YOUR FILES!

ATTACK LUTHER MOSES? HE BEGGED HIM FOR MERCY.

HE CRAWLED AWAY LIKE A FRIGHTENED PUPPY.

-MR. WEATHERS-- -HEAVY LIBIDO? HAH!

YOU HAVE A SIGNED STATEMENT SAYING

HE WAS SEXUALLY INADEQUATE.

YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT HIS SEX DRIVE?

LET'S ASK HIS WIFE!

THEY TRIED TO SAVE THE MARRIAGE BY HAVING A CHILD

BUT HE COULDN'T COME THROUGH!

THIS IS A MAN WHO IS A SEX-DRIVEN KILLER?

MR. WEATHERS!

LOOK AT THE ADJECTIVES USED TO DESCRIBE HIM IN YOUR OWN FILE!

A SCARED MAN, A WEAK MAN,

MR. WEATHERS, YOU ARE IN CONTEMPT--

- AFRAID... -MR. WEATHERS--

- IMPOTENT! - SHUT UP.

- IMPOTENT! - SHUT UP!

-IMPOTENT! -( woman screams )

DOCTOR?

DR. BENOIT?

DR. BENOIT, YOU MAY STEP DOWN NOW.

WHAT'S HE DONE?

HE'S GOTTEN HIM TO CONFESS.

AND GOTTEN HIMSELF A DISBARMENT.

Judge: WE CAN CONTINUE AT A LATER DATE.

POSSIBLY.

DR. BENOIT?

PLAY BALL.

OBVIOUSLY WE CANNOT PROCEED.

MR. MURRAY AND MR. WEATHERS,

IN MY CHAMBERS, PLEASE.

YOUR HONOR?

THE PROSECUTION HAS NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN ONE WISHES

ONE HAD THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON.

MR. WEATHERS?

YOUR HONOR,

IN LIGHT OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN

IN THIS COURTROOM TODAY,

I MOVE THAT THESE PROCEEDINGS BE DECLARED A MISTRIAL

AND ATTORNEYS FOR DR. BENOIT

BE ALLOWED TO PREPARE AN APPROPRIATE DEFENSE.

LACKING THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON,

I MUST RELY UPON MY OWN JUDGMENT.

THE QUESTION OF GUILT OR INNOCENCE

HAS NOT BEEN IMPEACHED BY DR. BENOIT'S OUTBURST.

THE QUESTION OF HIS STATE OF MIND

CAN BE ADDRESSED BY AN APPEAL.

THIS TRIAL WILL CONTINUE.

- EXCEPTION. - NOTED.

DO YOU WISH A RECESS AT THIS TIME?

MR. WEATHERS?

THE DEFENSE RESTS.

( courtroom murmuring )

I NOTE FOR THE RECORD

THAT DR. BENOIT HAS WAIVED HIS RIGHTS

TO BE PRESENT AT THE READING OF THE VERDICT.

MADAM FOREMAN,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY,

HEARKEN NOW TO YOUR VERDICT.

WE, THE JURY, FIND THE DEFENDANT, DOUGLAS BENOIT,

GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.

-SO SAY YOU ALL? - Jury:AYE.

Judge: SO BE IT.

SENTENCING WILL TAKE PLACE TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.

MR. WEATHERS, I SHUDDER TO THINK

OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THIS COURTROOM.

THOUGH I MUST CONFESS,

I AM NOT ENTIRELY WITHOUT SYMPATHY FOR YOUR ACTIONS.

NONETHELESS, FOR YOUR CONTEMPT,

I ORDER YOU TO SERVE 10 DAYS IN THE COUNTY DETENTION,

COMMENCEMENT OF SENTENCE TO BE DELAYED PENDING APPEAL.

THIS JURY IS DISMISSED. THIS COURT IS ADJOURNED.

( gavel bangs )

ALL RISE.

( murmuring )

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HIM OFF.

YOU WOULD HAVE LET HIM WALK THE STREETS?

I'M A LAWYER.

YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.

ANYTHING ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN WRONG.

I HOPE SO.

I WOULDN'T WANT YOU AS MY LAWYER.

HA HA HA HA!

HMM.

WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

I DON'T HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA.

WE'RE SUING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S A CLASS ACTION ON BEHALF OF BRIGITTE

AND ALL THE KIDS AT THE SUNSHINE SCHOOL.

THEY GOT RIGHTS.

BUT THE PRESIDENT?

AND THE U.S. CONGRESS. I DON'T MESS AROUND.

I'M GOING TO CRY.

- YOU ARE CRYING. - NO, I'M NOT.

YOU SAID YOU NEEDED A GOOD LAWYER.

WELL, YOU GOT AN EX-HOTSHOT CRIMINAL ATTORNEY

FRESH OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT.

ROBIN--

YEAH, I KNOW.

I'M A HELL OF A GUY.