Legal Eagles (1986)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Ivan Reitman

Writers:

Jim Cash (screenplay)
Jim Cash (story)

Release Date:

18 June 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

Tagline:

Tom Logan has a law partner who put a dog on the witness stand. A client who can't enter a room without a crime being committed. And a case that could turn out to be the murder of the year. His.

Plot:

District Attorney Tom Logan is set for higher office, at least until he becomes involved with defence...

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | Painting | City | Scam | Insurance

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Tom Logan
Debra Winger	...	Laura J. Kelly
Daryl Hannah	...	Chelsea Deardon
Brian Dennehy	...	Cavanaugh
Terence Stamp	...	Victor Taft
Steven Hill	...	Bower
David Clennon	...	Blanchard
John McMartin	...	Forrester
Jennifer Dundas	...	Jennifer Logan (as Jennie Dundas)
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Judge Dawkins
Christine Baranski	...	Carol Freeman
Sara Botsford	...	Barbara
David Hart	...	Marchek
James Hurdle	...	Sebastian Dearden
Gary Howard Klar	...	Hit Man

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:14A | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Norway:15 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Debra Winger actually left the powerful CAA agency over this film. She felt that since all the major cast and crew members were with CAA at the time, they did not hire the best people, they hired only clients who could get the film made.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The action of the movie appears to take place during a winter-like season (lots of rain and occasional snowflakes) yet a shot of the Empire State building has the lighting at the top in red, white and blue, coloring usually used around the Fourth of July or other non-Winter holidays.

Quotes:

Tom Logan: Ladies and gentlemen, Chelsea Deardon didn't kill Victor Taft. The prosecution has suggested a possible motive, but one based on hearsay, conjecture and circumstantial evidence. Evidence that appears to have some substance, but upon closer examination, will prove to have no relevance whatsoever to this case.
[stops and looks at the jury]
Tom Logan: You're not buying this, are you? You're not listening to a word I'm saying. Yeah? Guess what? I don't blame you. After listening to Mr. Blanchard lay out the prosecution's evidence, even I'M convinced my client murdered Victor Taft.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Features Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Soundtrack:

GOOD LOVIN

A fun mystery/romantic comedy.

Full of plot holes and expensive excesses, LEGAL EAGLES wouldn't be much without the genuine star power it receives from it's first class cast.

Redford is very charming as the assistant D.A. whose becomes involved with defense lawyer Winger (terrific as always) to solve a case that includes arson, stolen paintings, insurance fraud, and even murder.

The chemistry between Redford and Winger is very much like Spencer and Tracy and is very enjoyable to watch. However, Daryl Hannah steals the show as the slightly off center performance artist who is in the middle of the complex case.

The film's story will not hold up under much thought and the many shots of buildings on fire will only appeal to pyros. Still, this film is fun entertainment and is a must-see if you are a fan of one of the three stars.

I'd rate this a good 6 out of 10.