Do you want to see ‘True Believer’?

True Believer (1989)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 2,217

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Movie Info

The only True Believer at the beginning of this drama is idealistic young attorney Robert Downey Jr., who apprentices under the guidance of celebrated civil-rights activist James Woods. Alas, in the years since the sixties, Woods has become a disillusioned, dope-smoking ambulance chaser. Goaded by Downey, Woods takes up one last "lost cause:" that of Korean-American prison inmate Yuji Okomoto, who is about to be tried for the self-defense slaying of another prisoner. As Woods investigates, he

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed By: Joseph Ruben

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1989 Wide

On DVD: Apr 3, 2001

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

True Believer Trailer & Photos

Cast

James Woods
Eddie Dodd
Robert Downey Jr.
Roger Baron
Yuji Okumoto
Shu Kai Kim
Margaret Colin
Kitty Greer
Kurtwood Smith
Robert Reynard
Tom Bower
Cecil Skell
Charles Hallahan
Vincent Dennehy
Sully Diaz
Maraquilla Esparza
Misan Kim
Mrs. Kim
John Snyder
Chucky Loeder
Luis Guzman
Ortega
Graham Beckel
Sklaroff
Tony Haney
Montell
Joel Polis
Dean Rabin
Will Marchetti
Judge Quealy
Tony Abatemarco
Glen Fulton
Gerry Bamman
Brian Nevins
Cab Covay
Teardrop
Charles Dean
Detective
Richard Fancy
Ballistics Expert
Miguel Fernandes
Art Esparza
Kurt Fuller
George Ballistics
Taylor Gilbert
Reynard's Receptionist
Ken Grantham
Cecil's Judge
George Jenesky
Slim Jim
George Maguire (II)
Maitre d'
Maureen McVerry
Billy
Deborah Offner
Laura Gayley
Abigail Van Alyn
Connie Dennehy
Thomas Wagner
Tommy
Mike Stone
Client
Cully Fredricksen
Scarecrow
Ginger Chung
Translator
David Espinoza
Corrections Officer
Peter Fitzsimmons
Court Clerk
Thelton E. Henderson
Judge Baum
Peter Anthony Jacobs
Reporter
Gustave Johnson
Detective
Stu Klitsher
Magnate
Sean O'Brien Teague
Clyde Gruner
Ralph Peduto
Court Officer
Margot Rose
Ms. Jessum
Jan Schultz
Lindeman
Jarrett Sullivan
Boy
Karen Rea
David Booth
Minister
George Maguire (I)

Critic Reviews for True Believer

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (1) | DVD (8)

Woods' angry energy is clarifying as well as terrifying, and when he unleashes it (usually without warning), the effect is to focus our attention where it belongs, not on a suspense story but on the mysteries of human behavior.

April 16, 2009 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

| Comment

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

When I see Woods on the screen in the first shot of a movie I sort of smile to myself because I know that something strange and offbeat and maybe even inspired is about to happen.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Ruben relies too heavily on Woods' whirring turbines to power his scenes.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

Top Critic

What counts in Believer is not what happens but how. This is as good a how as any.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Woods, as ever, is wired for a fight -- in or outside the courtroom. It's all Downey Jr can do to hold him back.

February 27, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Woods clearly relishes his chance to display a wide range of emotions within his patented maverick persona, and Downey also acquits himself well in a much less challenging role.

February 27, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A riveting legal drama.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

Really clicks as a modern day morality play.

August 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

One of the best courtroom dramas ever made, and a movie that almost nobody knows about. A terrific picture.

December 15, 2003 Comment

Blake Davis

KFOR Channel 4 News

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for True Believer

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A defense attorney with a ludicrous pony tail defends a man accused of murder.I'm surprised by the critics' positive reviews of this thoroughly unexceptional film. Most of the reviews focus on Woods's performance, but whereas his other characters' extravagant posturing seemed to fit the situation and persona, here, he

July 30, 2011

Jim Hunter

Super Reviewer

I don't think anyone could prance around in an outrageous gray ponytail besides James Woods. He plays a very unique type of hippie lawyer that I don't think i've ever seen before. Robert Downey Jr. also gives a classic performance as a bookish new lawyer trying to do the right thing. The story is interesting in that it

January 23, 2011

Conner Rainwater

Super Reviewer

True Believer Quotes

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