John Travolta,
Robert Duvall,
Tony Shalhoub,
William H. Macy,
Zeljko Ivanek
... see more 
Directed by Schindler's List screenwriter Steve Zaillian, this courtroom drama is based on a true story and non-fiction book by Jonathan Harr. The case revolves around an incident in 1979 in East Wobu... read more
Directed by: Steven Zaillian
Release Date: December 25, 1998
Keywords:
true story,
john travolta,
robert duvall,
civil action,
John Travolta ,
Robert Duvall ,
John Grisham ,
Civil Action
DVD Release Date: July 13, 1999
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Stats: 567 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (567)
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June 2, 2011"Schindler's List" scribe Steven Zaillian seems to craft meticulous pieces of work. It's hard to put into words but his films seem to have substance. He doesn't try to cut corners, which is precisely his downfall here. There's too much weight that, despite an excellent beggining,... read more
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June 2, 2010A Civil Action is a pretty good court-room drama but without the usual court-room drama cliches. It's more of a non-bullshit version that shows the reality of a court case (well, a little more realistic) and how it can all go wrong. I have to say I find these types of films more ... read more
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January 2, 2010fb619846742A disappointingly pulse-less legal drama that features an incredibly dull lead performance from John Travolta, despite the rest of the cast being fairly on their game. The main problem that undermines the film is the fact that the startling transformation that Travolta's characte... read more
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July 14, 2007Excellent movie based on true stories. John tries to find evidence to sue a factory for dumping waste in the local water supply.
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November 26, 2009I guess I have many thinks to pick out and chew at with "A CIvil Action", then again "William H. Macy" is one thing I can not tear apart, because his acting was "Superb".
Idealy this slow moving, but internaly gripping true-story, legal thriller wasn't as much as a groundbrea... read more -
August 31, 2009Good legal movie. Great cast and story. I wish it would've turned out differently for them.
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October 6, 2009Yawn-worthy. I've come to the realization that it must be horrible watching legal dramas with me, since I feel the need to comment on what would or would not really happen in a courtroom, which rules have been broken, and whether an attorney would or would not be able to say cert... read more
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December 4, 2008I just love this movie. John Travolta was excellent in this, one of his "I'm back" films after Pulp Fiction. If ya havent seen it, ya should.
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February 23, 2008"The water is making everyone sick..!" is the mantra of this movie.
If you have an ounce of respect for corporations, then you should watch this. This will make you hate any company that offers a 401k.
In my opinion.
Critic Reviews
June 1, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Variety
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
As proficient a job as writer-director Steve Zaillian and his team do, A Civil Action has unmistakably unraveled by its close. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Travolta captures the complexity of a man whose motives for doing good have as much to do with vanity as anything else. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The story presents both Schlichtmann and the civil court system as stubbornly complicated. And it tells a finely nuanced tale of right, wrong and the gray area in between. Full Review
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Zaillian managed to surprise me by crafting a courtroom drama which is sufficiently different and thought-provoking that I can recommend it with a clear conscience. Full Review
January 1, 2000
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
A slick, shameless job that takes way too long to make its point (namely, we need the EPA). Full Review
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com
Millions of people read Harr's gripping bestseller, but Steven Zaillian may be the only one who didn't understand it. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Paul Tatara, CNN.com
Schlichtmann may have gone through this conversion in real life, but I just didn't buy it the way Zaillian presents it. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
I'm all for films that don't flow from the usual Hollywood test tubes, but A Civil Action is basically the standard formula with a dash of downbeat. Full Review
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A Civil Action
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