Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Writers (WGA):

Alan M. Dershowitz (book)
Nicholas Kazan (screenplay)

Release Date:

October 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

The Case of Claus Von Bulow. An American Saga of Money and Mystery.

Plot:

Wealthy Sunny von Bülow lies brain-dead, husband Claus guilty of attempted murder; but he says he's innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

Plot Keywords:

Attempted Murder | Law | Courtroom | Law Student | Bad Guy

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 9 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Glenn Close	...	Sunny von Bülow / Narrator
Jeremy Irons	...	Claus von Bülow
Ron Silver	...	Professor Alan Dershowitz
Annabella Sciorra	...	Sarah
Uta Hagen	...	Maria, Sunny's Personal Maid
Fisher Stevens	...	David Marriott
Jack Gilpin	...	Peter MacIntosh, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Christine Baranski	...	Andrea Reynolds, Claus' Girlfriend
Stephen Mailer	...	Elon Dershowitz
Christine Dunford	...	Ellen
Felicity Huffman	...	Minnie, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Mano Singh	...	Raj, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Johann Carlo	...	Nancy
Keith Reddin	...	Dobbs, Dershowitz's Student Staff
Alan Pottinger	...	Chuck, Dershowitz's Student Staff

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | Japan | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:10 | Brazil:18 | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Germany:12 (w) (f) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Lyndhurst Estate, Tarrytown, New York, USA

Company:

Sovereign Pictures

Trivia:

Cameo: [Alan M. Dershowitz] [appears briefly in profile as one of the appellate judges, just as they are sitting down at the appeal.]

Goofs:

Anachronisms: One of the law students makes a reference to "faxing it over." Fax machines were not in common use in 1983, the time of the movie.

Quotes:

Alan Dershowitz: Our new evidence will clearly indicate...
Judge: Professor, you know there isn't a single case which allows you to introduce new evidence on appeal.
Alan Dershowitz: Well, there is one, your honor, and you wrote it. Derrick. In Derrick, in Derrick, you yourself said that a case based on circumstantial theory rather than fact only stands up if no other theory makes sense. The only way to show a better theory is to present it!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gossip Girl: Reversals of Fortune (#3.1)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

SONATA IN A MAJOR

Cold, and cruel and the way of the world...

That is Sonny von Bulow's narrative as she describes the marriage between her and Claus, an infamous fortune seeker, who had made his way in the world the old fashioned way- he inherited it, by marriage.

This is an intriguing story because it is based on truth, and both Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons give stellar performances. It is trite but true; money has not brought happiness to either of these people. Sonny has apparently led a life of depression, eating disorders, alcoholism and prescription drug abuse. Claus was probably no stranger to similar vices, as well as episodic infidelity. It may have been even more interesting had the screenplay delved into their earlier years, lifestyles in Europe and world travel, living a hedonistic life.

In this case, murder is a nebulous concept. Claus von Bulow insists he is innocent, yet his many assertions to attorney Alan Dershowitz indicate otherwise. von Bulow is calculating, mysterious, and cold. Does this indicate guilt? The audience is never completely informed. That is what makes the story so real. As in real life, when murderers are set free, one may never know the truth. There is also a good side-story where Dershowitz is attempting to save two young black males from a death sentence. He does their case "pro bono", for the sake of justice, whereas von Bulow's case, as Dershowitz proclaims, is paying for their defense.

Overall, this is a tragic story which leaves many grey areas, one wonders how the children, Alex and Alah have survived this debacle. Another viewpoint would be an interesting screenplay. 10/10.

Dershowitz is portrayed by Ron Silver, who projects a realistic image.