--- title: "The Verdict: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-verdict/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-verdict" critics_score: 77 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Verdict (1982): what the critics said Critics' score 77 from 10 reviews: 8 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like The Verdict, and the praise settles on two names. Paul Newman’s performance as the drinking, self-loathing lawyer given one last case is what nearly every review returns to: weary, fearless and unshowy. David Mamet’s screenplay is the other constant, fast and hard-hitting, credited with turning a routine malpractice suit into a story about a man trying to save himself. Several reviews rank it alongside 12 Angry Men among Lumet’s best, and his restrained direction and muted palette are noted approvingly. The reservations are about pace and originality. The New Yorker finds the sombre mood dragged out self-importantly, the long wait for a surprise witness testing patience. Variety thinks the script offers little out of the ordinary and the film not compelling enough, whatever the acting. The Playlist admits some hackneyed and dated elements while still counting it among Lumet’s jewels. The spread is narrow: no outright dismissals, and both mixed notices date from the film’s release. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 1982. Ebert praises the film as a strong character study of an alcoholic lawyer seeking redemption through a malpractice case, more than a standard thriller. He singles out Paul Newman's weary, authentic performance as the standout element that makes the story absorbing. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-verdict-1982) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 2 July 2020. The film is one of the greatest courtroom dramas and the second greatest from Sidney Lumet after 12 Angry Men. It showcases Paul Newman's fearless performance as a boozing, self-hating lawyer given a shot at redemption in a medical malpractice case, supported by strong turns from James Mason and others. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/the-times-film-club-the-verdict-3j7rzblz3) ## Time Out — DP Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 March 2012. Praises David Mamet's fast-paced, eloquent and suspenseful screenplay for turning a washed-up lawyer's malpractice case into a gripping underdog story. Notes that Lumet prioritises story over performance, resulting in near-invisible acting perfection and a strong indictment of the US legal system. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-verdict) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls the film a critical success thanks to Lumet's precise direction, David Mamet's hard-hitting screenplay, and especially Paul Newman's powerhouse performance as the washed-up lawyer, which elevates it close to the level of 12 Angry Men. Notes regret that Newman missed out on the Oscar for the role. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/verdict-review/) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2015. The critic recommends the film as a strong Best Picture nominee overlooked in favor of Gandhi, praising its restrained courtroom drama and redemptive arc. Lumet’s somber direction and muted visual palette stand out as particularly effective in balancing Mamet’s dialogue with a moody, observant tone. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/paul-newman-fights-for-justice-and-to-best-a-hangover-1798276767) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 2 November 2009. The critic highlights the dark twist given to the standard courtroom drama by David Mamet's screenplay. It leaves the sense that justice can prevail, but when it does, it is too little, too late, and cannot compensate for the harm already done. [Read the review](https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/critics-picks-video-the-verdict/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 1983. The review finds the film effective in its somber melodrama about a lawyer's self-redemption but criticizes it for being dragged out self-importantly with a hushed, inflated atmosphere. It singles out the long suspense leading to the surprise witness as a key element that tests audience patience. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1983/01/10/the-cool-and-the-dead) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1981. The review notes many fine performances and sensitive moral issues but finds the film not compelling enough overall. It singles out David Mamet's script as offering little out of the ordinary while praising Paul Newman's realistic portrayal and solid support from Jack Warden and James Mason. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1981/film/reviews/the-verdict-2-1200425075/) ## Collider — Liam Gaughan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 December 2024. The critic praises The Verdict as the greatest courtroom drama of the 1980s and a showcase for Paul Newman's talents, highlighting its examination of a lawyer's redemption and fight for justice against a powerful institution. They single out Newman's performance as one of his greatest achievements. [Read the review](https://collider.com/paul-newman-the-verdict/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating [B]. 9 April 2012. The review calls the film a moody and intense courtroom drama that remains one of Lumet’s jewels despite some hackneyed elements and dated aspects today. It singles out David Mamet’s powerful script and Paul Newman’s solid performance for praise. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/essentials-films-of-sidney-lumet-a-retrospective-20120409/4/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-verdict.md