The Devil's Advocate (1997)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Taylor Hackford

Writers (WGA):

Andrew Neiderman (novel)
Jonathan Lemkin (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 October 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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.

Plot:

A hotshot lawyer gets more than he bargained for when he learns his new boss is Lucifer himself.

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | New York | Florida | Law Firm | Law

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Keanu Reeves	...	Kevin Lomax
Al Pacino	...	John Milton
Charlize Theron	...	Mary Ann Lomax
Jeffrey Jones	...	Eddie Barzoon
Judith Ivey	...	Mrs. Alice Lomax
Connie Nielsen	...	Christabella Andreoli
Craig T. Nelson	...	Alexander Cullen
Tamara Tunie	...	Mrs. Jackie Heath
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Leamon Heath
Debra Monk	...	Pam Garrety
Vyto Ruginis	...	Mitch Weaver - Justice Department
Laura Harrington	...	Mrs. Melissa Black
Pamela Gray	...	Mrs. Diana Barzoon
George Wyner	...	Meisel
Chris Bauer	...	Lloyd Gettys (as Christopher Bauer)

Also Known As:

Devil's Advocate (USA) (DVD box title)
Im Auftrag des Teufels (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, nudity, violence and language.

Runtime:

144 min | Turkey:136 min (TV version)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | German | Italian | Mandarin | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #35596) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Iceland:16 | Canada:14A | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Belgium:KT | Brazil:16 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Malaysia:(Banned) | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

50th Floor, Continental Tower, Continental Plaza, Wall Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Sculptor Frederick Hart and the Episcopal National Cathedral in Washington, DC, sued Warner Brothers over a sculpture that appears in the film and closely resembles Hart's "Ex Nihilo", which is situated above the entrance to the cathedral. A last-minute deal was negotiated to allow the sculpture to remain in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Barbara's father tries to attack Kevin in the courtroom at the beginning of the film, in the first shot he is stopped only by two security guards, but in the next shot - wider angle - Barbara's attorney can be seen standing and stopping him too, to again be calmly sitting in the next shot.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Florida Prosecutor: Go on, Barbara.
Barbara: We go back to our homeroom for dismissal. Unless you have a pass for sports or somethin'.
Florida Prosecutor: And is that what you did on the day in question?
Barbara: No. Mr. Gettys asked me to stay after class.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Alias: Repercussions (#3.5)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Air on the G String

Prepare to be gobsmacked!

What a surprisingly rewarding film. I have not watched a film that is so engaging for a long while. I had never even heard of the film before and only saw it by chance on the shelf at the video store. I am glad I picked it up as I enjoyed every minute of it. The Devil's advocate is heavy viewing, it is not a light cinema experience, yet it is rewarding in it's heaviness. It is very clever depicting the devil realistically and giving a totally truthful example of how people can un-knowingly be sucked in by evil. The film though dealing with a unrealistic concept is totally believable due the the fantastic acting by all involved. Keanu Reeves gives the performance of a life time, he is perfectly cast opposite Charliez Theron who is also very impressive. The two posses an obvious chemistry. I recommend you see this movie ASAP!