Trial and Error

Critics Consensus

Trial and Error gets some laughs out of the comedic chemistry between its pleasantly mismatched leads, although the results are still somewhat less than memorable.

51%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 35

30%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,027
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Movie Info

Up-and-coming L.A. corporate lawyer Charles Tuttle (Jeff Daniels) is going to marry his wealthy boss's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Alexandra Wentworth), but first he must head to a remote Nevada town to help his employer's rapscallion relative out of a legal bind. It's all routine for Charlie until his bumbling best buddy Richard Rietti (Michael Richards), a cut-rate actor, decides to throw him a surprise bachelor party in the desert. Richard means well and throws one enormous bash. Unfortunately, Charlie gets totally plastered during the party and the next day is too hung-over to move, let alone go to court. Richard volunteers to go in Charlie's stead and ask for a continuance -- after all, he is an actor. What could go wrong? Unfortunately everything, for both the local District Attorney and the judge refuse to delay the trial. Both are anxious to put long-time con man Billy Gibbs (Rip Torn) away for good. Since they think Richard is Charlie, the actor and the lawyer have no choice but to maintain the status quo and hope that no one discovers their ruse. Charlie does his best to teach Richard the legal ropes, but it is an uphill battle all the way. Along the way, Charlie meets an earthy local girl, Billie Tyler (Charlize Theron) who forces him to reevaluate his life. Essentially a fish-out-of-water comedy, the film attempts to strike a few more serious underlying notes along the way. The film is the first in which television character actor Michael Richards, best known for his hilarious portrayal of 'Kramer' on the sitcom Seinfeld, receives top billing.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Jonathan Lynn
  • Written By:
    Sara Bernstein
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    New Line Home Entertainment

Cast

Michael Richards
as Richard Rietti
Jeff Daniels
as Charles Tuttle
Charlize Theron
as Billie Taylor
Alexandra Wentworth
as Tiffany
Jessica Steen
as Elizabeth Gardner
Austin Pendleton
as Judge Paul Z. Graff
Rip Torn
as Benny Gibbs
Dale Dye
as Dr. Stone
Jennifer Coolidge
as Jacqueline
Max Casella
as Dr. Brown
Lawrence Pressman
as Whitfield
McNally Sagal
as Charles' Assistant
Kenneth White
as Hank Crabbit
Keith Mills
as Buck Norman
Zaid Farid
as Bailiff
Rachel Winfree
as Mrs. Sussex
Ken Magee
as Clerk
Michelle C. Bonilla
as Court Reporter
Mark Davenport
as Eric
Kelly Perine
as Kurt
Rick La Fond
as Phil
Paul Joseph Dworkin
as 1st Bartender
John Bigham
as 2nd Bartender
Nancy Linehan Charles
as Witness
Jim Cody Williams
as Heavy Lowlife
Kurek Ashley
as Tattooed Lowlife
Jodi Faith Cahn
as Elizabeth's Secretary
Brian Mahoney
as Man in Bar
Gerry Spence
as Himself
Norman Brennar
as Courtroom Janitor
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Critic Reviews for Trial and Error

All Critics (35) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (17)

View All Critic Reviews (35)

Audience Reviews for Trial and Error

  • Jul 09, 2011
    considering all the talent this project had to offer its a shame nothing really comes together. the main issues are the mismatched pairing of Richards & Daniels which doesn't work. Richards doesn't really offer the humour he does from Seinfeld which is why this film stayed off everyones rader back on its release. Daniels has proven he is capable of comedy roles but he is unable to inject anything remotely resembling a likable character. Theron is quite good in a thankless role but allows Daniels to share some meaningful screen time with. I really wanted to like this film but it is poorly directed and the jokes miss more then they hit.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Oct 21, 2009
    This was pretty funny,very predictable but a fun movie to watch.Michael Richards was awesome in this.overall worth the rent
    Daryl . Super Reviewer
  • May 22, 2009
    Very funny. Espicially since Michael Richards was in it.
    Cassie H Super Reviewer
  • Dec 14, 2008
    Okay comedy with a witty title. Jeff Daniels and Michael Richards make a good mismatched-buddy team, and to his credit after the first 15 minutes Richards manages to inhabit his character without too many reminders of Kramer. Charlize Theron is very winning in an early supporting role as Daniels' love interest. Seems they forgot this was a comedy after an hour, instead adding an ill-advised romance between Richards and Jessica Steen who actually provides a worthy adversary. Final verdict: with plenty of opportunities for satire or slapstick available, it should have been funnier.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
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