Robert Downey Jr's Best Film, The Judge? | Robert Duvall | The Jaftaf Show 11

Robert Downey Jr's Best Film, The Judge? | Robert Duvall | The Jaftaf Show 11 Connect us on Instagram -   / thejaftafshow   Watch our other Episodes Here    • The Jaftaf Show Weekly Podcast   The Judge Plot - Hank Palmer is a lawyer in Chicago. Before returning to his hometown in Carlinville, Indiana to attend his mother’s funeral, he argues with his wife, Lisa, whom he is divorcing for infidelity. In Carlinville, Hank reunites with his older brother, Glen, a tire shop owner, and his younger brother, Dale. Hank's estranged father is Judge Joseph Palmer of Carlinville's criminal court, whom he calls "Judge." The two have been estranged due to the Judge's harsh treatment of Hank in his youth. When Hank was young, he got into a car accident and his brother Glen was injured; losing a chance for a baseball career. Because of this, The Judge sent Hank to juvenile detention. After his return, Hank watches his father presiding over a case. During the proceedings, the Judge cannot recall his long-time bailiff's name. The morning after the funeral, Hank notices that the Judge's car is damaged and accuses his father, a recovered alcoholic, of driving intoxicated. The Judge reacts defensively, having no memory of an accident. Hank's strained family relationship is further complicated by his former girlfriend, Sam Powell. He comes to believe that her daughter Carla, now in law school, may be his daughter. Sam tells him that his brother Glen is Carla's father, but that he does not know and she will never tell him. After arguing with his father, Hank vows never to return to Carlinville and leaves for the airport. Just before his flight is to take off, Glen calls to say that their father is a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run accident. The victim, Mark Blackwell, is a recently released ex-convict whom Judge had sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend. Blackwell had killed her by drowning after the Judge had given him a light sentence of 30 days for shooting up the girl's house. Judge is indicted after police forensics confirm that Blackwell's blood is on the Judge's Cadillac. He is charged with first-degree murder. The Judge hires local attorney C.P. Kennedy for his defense. When his defense proves ineffective, Hank takes over as lead counsel. While preparing for trial, he learns that his father is undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer. During this time, Hank's daughter, Lauren, arrives for a visit, meeting her grandfather for the first time and bonding with him. At the trial, the Judge insists on testifying. He scuttles his defense by saying that he cannot remember the accident but believes he may have intentionally killed Blackwell. Hank pushes Judge until he admits that he had given Blackwell a light sentence for his first offense because Blackwell's circumstances had reminded Judge of Hank. Judge is convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in the Indiana State Prison. Seven months later, Hank returns as his father has been granted a compassionate release, requested by the prosecutor, to allow him to die at home. Fishing on a lake, Hank and Judge appear to have buried their mutual animosity. After praising Hank as a lawyer, the Judge peacefully dies on the boat. The courthouse flag flies at half-staff to honor him. Hank visits the courthouse and spins his father's chair; it stops, facing him.