Trial and Error (1997)

An actor poses as a lawyer to help his sick friend, and problems develop.

Director:

Jonathan Lynn

Writers:

Sara Bernstein (story), Gregory Bernstein (story),

Stars:

Michael Richards, Jeff Daniels, Charlize Theron

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Richards	...	Richard Rietti
Jeff Daniels	...	Charles Tuttle
Charlize Theron	...	Billie Tyler
Jessica Steen	...	Elizabeth
Austin Pendleton	...	Judge Paul Z. Graff
Rip Torn	...	Benny Gibbs
Alexandra Wentworth	...	Tiffany
Jennifer Coolidge	...	Jacqueline
Lawrence Pressman	...	Whitfield
Dale Dye	...	Dr. Stone
Max Casella	...	Dr. Brown
McNally Sagal	...	Charles' Assistant
Kenneth White	...	Hank Crabbit
Keith Mills	...	Buck Norman
Zaid Farid	...	Bailiff

Storyline

Lawyer Charlie Tuttle is defending his wife's relative Benny Gibbs in a class action fraud suit, but when he gets to the city where court takes place, he gets drunk and the following day, when the hearings begin, his friend, actor Richard Rjetti takes his place posing as Charlie. The bad thing is that Richard doesn't know anything about being a lawyer, and Charlie has to teach him as the court goes on.

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Plot Keywords:

court | gambling | deception | con man | law | 

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Taglines:

A defense this dumb, has got to be a crime!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Advogado por Engano

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$4,903,529 (USA) (30 May 1997)

Gross:

$13,548,764 (USA) (25 July 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Larger Than Life Productions, New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Tilly was originally cast as Billie Tyler.

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Quotes

Charles Tuttle: Prior use of the machine is not determinative of possessorary interest.
Tattooed Lowlife: And you a lawyer?
Charles Tuttle: Yes.
Heavy Lowlife, Tattooed Lowlife: [both punch him at the same time]

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Crazy Credits

Sound technician Brian McPherson is credited as "hothead technician."

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Soundtracks

"All the Time in the World"
Written by Tommy Malone, Johnny Allen, John Magnie, Steve Amedee
Performed by the Subdudes
Courtesy of High Street Records

User Reviews

Excellent film

This film illustrates that appearances can be deceiving. Each of the main characters is playing a role that is somehow contrary to that person's real identity. In the case of the Rip Torn character, who is on trial for fraud, the deception is obvious, despite his ludicrous attempt to justify his fraudulent actions. And it is equally obvious in the case of the Michael Richards character, who is pretending to be a lawyer to help out his friend. But the other characters also are revealed to be different than who they appear to be.

This is a wonderful movie, which raises important questions about the veneer most of us use to hide our real selves. Like most good comedians (e.g., Robin Williams, Steve Martin), Michael Richards is also a fine actor, and his closing argument in the case is an especially masterful piece of acting.