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Movies / On DVD / True Believer
True Believer

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True Believer (1989)

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95 %
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Reviews Counted:22

Fresh:21

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7/10

Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: James Woods stars as a William Kuntsler-style lawyer in this tale of injustice and renewed dignity. In the 1960s, idealistic advocate Eddie Dodd courted controversy by defending outspoken youths... James Woods stars as a William Kuntsler-style lawyer in this tale of injustice and renewed dignity. In the 1960s, idealistic advocate Eddie Dodd courted controversy by defending outspoken youths and free spirits. Alas, in the 20 years since, he has succumbed to cynicism. Nowadays, perpetually stoned, he protects coke dealers who pay for his services with paper bags full of cash. Then Eddie takes on an assistant, Roger Baron, who brings to his attention the case of a wrongly imprisoned Asian man. Suddenly Eddie's conscience is sparked, and he sets out to clear the man's name. As Eddie investigates the crime, he encounters on-the-take police officers, dirty D.A.s, and even neo-Nazis every step along the way. Eddie not only must help an unjustly accused man but salvage his own self-confidence--and stay alive--as well. TRUE BELIEVER, directed by Joseph Ruben, features terrific performances by James Woods and Robert Downey Jr. [More]

Starring: James Woods, Robert Downey, Margaret Colin, Kurtwood Smith

Starring: James Woods, Robert Downey, Margaret Colin, Kurtwood Smith, Yuji Okumoto

Director: Joseph Ruben

Director: Joseph Ruben

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 3, 2001

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for True Believer

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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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.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
04/16/09
Richard Schickel
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
07/16/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

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

Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
02/27/08
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.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
02/27/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
03/09/06
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

A riveting legal drama.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
06/19/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/27/05
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly

No review available.

comment Comment
11/19/04
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

Really clicks as a modern day morality play.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
08/28/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
02/13/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

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

comment Comment
12/15/03
Blake Davis
Blake Davis
KFOR Channel 4 News

No review available.

comment Comment
06/17/03
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

No review available.

comment Comment
04/10/03
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

No review available.

comment Comment
02/12/03
Bill Thompson
Bill Thompson
Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)

No review available.

comment Comment
02/06/03
Tony Toscano
Tony Toscano
Talking Pictures (U.S.)

No review available.

comment Comment
07/30/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
07/25/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

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

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Hal Hinson
Hal Hinson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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