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Michael Richards, Jeff Daniels, Charlize Theron, Alexandra Wentworth, Jennifer Coolidge ... see more see more... , Rip Torn , Jessica Steen , Austin Pendleton , Dale Dye , Lawrence Pressman , Max Casella

This comedy features TV's Seinfeld regular Michael Richards in his first starring role, opposite Jeff Daniels. Daniels plays Charlie Tuttle, an up-and-coming attorney engaged to Tiffany Whitfield (Ale... read more read more...xandra Wentworth), the daughter of the law firm's boss (Lawrence Pressman). His boss sends him to a small Nevada town to represent a down-and-out relative, Benny Gibbs (Rip Torn). Benny has been charged with fraud for bilking people in a mail-order scam. At a bachelor party that Charlie's future father-in-law arranges for him in the small town, Charlie gets plastered. A small-time actor, Richard Rietti (played by Richards), agrees to switch places with Charlie for a simple hearing that day. The judge and prosecutor think he's Tuttle. As the trial begins, Charlie tries to pose as his associate, but the judge won't allow that. Charlie is forced to send signals to Richard during the trial by honking on a car horn in the parking lot. In the meantime, Charlie finds a new kind of happiness with a free-spirited local waitress, Billie Tyler (Charlize Theron). ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Flixster Users

28% liked it

2,871 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

30 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Jonathan Lynn

Release Date: May 30, 1997

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DVD Release Date: November 16, 1999

Stats: 99 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (99)

  • deano
    September 6, 2009
    deano
    Director Jonathan Lynn makes another courtroom delight, following the success of My Cousin Vinny. Michael Richards delivers the expected Dramer-esque slapstick he became famous for on TV's Seinfeld, but then allows his character a more serious and rational side.
  • movieguru12
    May 22, 2009
    movieguru12
    Very funny. Espicially since Michael Richards was in it.
  • jam233
    March 4, 2010
    jam233
    Enjoyable comedy, nicely cast, especially Charlize Theron. The brisk dialogue keeps the movie going at a good pace. I am a bit surprised at the low critic ratings. I realize it's nothing great, but it was funny often enough to hold my interest.

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Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

There are chuckles to be had, but get your own continuance by waiting for the video.

Michael Dequina
October 14, 2005
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Something is surely amiss when the trial antics are the least interesting aspect of a courtroom comedy, Full Review

Greg Muskewitz
July 10, 2003
Greg Muskewitz, eFilmCritic.com

Lynn's attempt to replicate the courtroom zaniness of My Cousin Vinny is a humorless pie-in-the-face.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 30, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A hilarious comedy with delicious comic bits on lawyers, juries and experts. Full Review

David N. Butterworth
January 1, 2000
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews

A nicely balanced blend of zany comedy and touching romance. Full Review

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

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February 14, 2001
Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

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Trial and Error Trivia

  • Charlize Theron Movies- 1997 movie with Michael Richards and Jeff Daniels, about an actor posing as a lawyer for his friend and getting into loads of trouble:   Answer »
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