Judge, The (1/27/2015)

Rated R for language including some sexual references.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D’Onofrio, Leighton Meester and Dax Shepard

Directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers, Fred Claus and Mr. Woodcock)

Downey and Duvall are dynamic.

In The Judge, Robert Downey Jr. stars as big city lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Duvall), is suspected of murder. He sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before.

I need to start this conversation with the stars of this amazing film. I was not always a fan of Robert Downey Jr., but after watching the film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, I started to change my mind. Then he was Tony Stark in Ironman and I was sold. Well, let me be real clear, Robert Downey Jr. has delivered an Oscar-worthy performance in The Judge. He, along with Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton and Vincent D’Onofrio are all so good that they make you care about every word, every struggle and every emotion that is expressed within the story.

Speaking of the story, this is one of those films that feels so real and the story is so believable that you will be drawn in from the very beginning and stay engaged throughout the entire film. Director David Dobkin is a master storyteller and keeps the story moving with a few twists and turns that you don’t see coming.

Another aspect of the film that is generally reserved for films with sprawling landscapes or epic battles is the cinematography. There are some very clever camera angles and creative shots. Simply put, everything about The Judge is flawless.

This movie is without a doubt on my top ten list for 2014… and there isn’t a single explosion or superhero in the film. The Judge is “Theater Worthy.”

Should Kids See It?
There is no nudity, but there are several sexual references and one scene where a couple begins to kiss but then they stop.

There are about 25 F-words and several mild profanities.

Besides the language and sexual references, the subject matter of the film is adult oriented and may be too intense for teenagers.

Conversation Starter:

1. How would you describe the relationship between Hank and his father?


2. What led to the relationship being broken?


3. What were some of the factors that led them to reconciliation?


4. When was the last time you experienced a broken relationship? Did you also experience reconciliation?

Read Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


5. How has God forgiven you?


6. How can we forgive others the same way?


7. Who in your life needs to be forgiven?