A cynical former civil liberties attorney now reduced to "specializing" in defending drug dealers becomes transformed by an eight-year-old murder case.
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Title: True Believer (1989)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Woods | ... | Eddie Dodd | |
| Robert Downey Jr. | ... | Roger Baron | |
| Margaret Colin | ... | Kitty Greer | |
| Yuji Okumoto | ... | Shu Kai Kim | |
| Kurtwood Smith | ... | Robert Reynard | |
| Tom Bower | ... | Cecil Skell | |
| Miguel Fernandes | ... | Art Esparza | |
| Charles Hallahan | ... | Vincent Dennehy | |
 |
Sully Diaz | ... | Maraquilla Esparza |
|
|
Misan Kim | ... | Mrs. Kim |
| John Snyder | ... | Chuckie Loeder | |
| Luis Guzmán | ... | Ortega (as Luis Guzman) | |
| Graham Beckel | ... | Sklaroff | |
|
|
Tony Haney | ... | Montell |
| Joel Polis | ... | Dean Rabin | |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Storyline
Eddie Dodd is a burnt out former civil rights lawyer who now specializes in defending drug dealers. Roger Baron, newly graduated from law school, has followed Eddie's great cases and now wants to learn at his feet. With Roger's idealistic prodding, Eddie reluctantly takes on a case of a young Korean man who, according to his mom, has been in jail for eight years for a murder he did not commit. Written by <Vertigus@aol.com>
Plot Keywords:
lawyer | reference to the black panthers | defense lawyer | asian american | prison gang |Taglines:
When evidence leads to murder, sometimes it takes a dangerous man to free an innocent one. See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 February 1989 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Das dreckige Spiel See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$8,742,750Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(1779) (uncredited)
Written by John Newton
Sung during prisoner chapel service
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The character of Eddie Dodd was modeled after famed civil rights lawyer Tony Serra. See more »Goofs
Beneath his mugshot, Chucky Loeder's name is spelled with a "y", however, in the credits it is spelled "ie". See more »Soundtracks
Amazing Grace(1779) (uncredited)
Written by John Newton
Sung during prisoner chapel service
See more »
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Edward Dodd played by James Woods is the disillusioned cynical criminal lawyer who has made a career fighting for ideals such as justice, freedom and equality for all. Fighting against the abuses of the legal system he though has realised that the only way he can protect the ideals he treasures so much is by representing uncouth drug dealers who do not appreciate what he does for them. All of sudden a young idealistic lawyer out of law school played by Robert Downey Jr, joins his firm in pursuit of the same ideals as Edward Dodd. The young lawyer, despite been an irritation to Dodd starts reminding him of the way he was when he started his law practise. One day in his disillusioned state a mother walks into Dodd's office asking him to defend her son who has been falsely accused and convicted of murder. The young lawyer convinces Dodd to take the case and suddenly Dodd's spirit is revived and there is meaning amongst all the hypocrisy once more. The two lawyers then embark on a perilous journey uncovering the truth behind corrupt police officers and state prosecutors who believe that the end justifies the means. Woods is brilliant with his emotional outbursts fighting for justice and fairness against a system which has let him down so many times. Downy portrays the young naive idealist to perfection. Lots of suspense and drama right to the court room climax guaranteed to keep you in suspense right to the end.