Disappointment for a huge fan!

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It should suffice to observe that Stephen Frears, the crew and cast took on a subject that no other film-maker chose to, and did so commendably. As Justice Harlan, Christopher Plummer also does a very commendable job. I also did not particularly find Mr. Plummer's early performances suitable for the screen, from 'Inside Daisy Clover' to 'Somewhere in Time'. Somehow, the hammiest roles early on were preferable (he does what the script demands as Commodus in 'The Fall of the Roman Empire' and his Atahualpa in 'Royal Hunt of the Sun' is actually much fun: "They EAT Him!"). As his art has matured ('Silent Partner'; 'Dolores Claiborne'; 'The Insider'; 'The Last Station'; 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'), the more I have looked forward to his performances, as here. Still, while I understand the politics of casting better-known actors in leading roles, I regret that Harris Yulin, another great too long under-appreciated in movies who plays Justice Wm. O Douglas, was not cast as Justice Harlan. Mr. Yulin ('Clear and Present Danger'; 'Training Day'; 'Looking for Richard') will always bring to his characters, villains included, a delicate gravitas that does not belie the humanity of their circumstances: different surely, if not better or preferable to Mr. Plummer's characterization - but audiences would certainly have regarded it very well-tailored for him.

The filmmaking (or rather, videomaking) by Stephen Frears is not particularly noteworthy, nor are some of the secondary performances. Still, the film allows one a rather fascinating peek at various forces (personal and cultural) influencing the Supreme Courts decision with regard to the legality of Mohammed Ali's refusal to serve in the U.S. army. As noted elsewhere, the segments involving the competition between interns are very much a distraction. Only one of the interns is of any narrative importance and his thread could easily have been played out in scenes between him and Judge Harlan (Christopher Plummer). In short, view this for the history, rather than the art.

I was perusing On Demand yesterday and came across this movie that was made for HBO. My wife and I decided to watch it over lunch and it was one of those movies that was way better than we could have imagined because there was zero hype of this movie. We knew nothing about it, not even the outcome of the decision by the Supreme Court. We had totally forgotten about that case and its impact on Muhammad Ali and his rise to iconic status in American history. After the movie was over I looked up Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan II and found that by Hollywood standards the movie was pretty factual. It was heartbreaking in places. Christopher Plummer does a great job as a conservative judge with a love of the law, and a love of the clerks who worked for him. Frank Langella was also good as Warren Burger who was the politician on the court and took daily phone calls from Richard Nixon. I was surprised by the less than sympathetic portrait of Thurgood Marshall. He comes across as knowing the law but somewhat of a slacker. The movie rightfully so sticks to archival footage of Ali and that alone is almost enough justification to watch this movie. He was far more than just a great heavyweight boxing champion. He represented the changes going on in America. The only weak point in the movie is the interplay between the Supreme Court clerks. It was the least interesting part of the movie. Plummer and Langella make this movie. They are perfect in their roles. If you like real life legal drama, this is a movie worth seeing. Nice to have movies that exceed one's expectations.

It's rare that an HBO film disappoints, and this film is no exception. Of course, you may be surprised that no actor plays Mohammad Ali; but he is generously represented with actual news footage from the time. While the film is about the boxer's quest to go to the Supreme Court to have has conviction on not fulfilling the draft decision overturned, the real story here is how the Supreme Court (may) work.And so, the primary reason to watch this film is to enjoy a number of very fine performances by veteran actors who are portraying Supreme Court justices. And chief among these...although he was not the Chief Justice...is the performance of Christopher Plummer as Justice John Harlan...in this case the pivotal vote. Although I didn't particularly enjoy Plummer in his early years in Hollywood, the more he aged, the more I enjoyed his performances. He is a treasure! Frank Langella is also superb here as Chief Justice Warren Burger. Danny Glover appears as Justice Thurgood Marshall, although his part is small because Marshall recused himself from the case. Barry Levinson is very good as Justice Potter Stewart. Ed Begley, Jr. plays Justice Harry Blackmun, and I can't quite get my mind around whether or not his performance is a solid one. Harris Yulin is very good as Justice William O. Douglas. Peter Gerety -- here as Justice William J. Brennan -- is a fine character actor that I always enjoy. Fritz Weaver -- at age 87 -- is good as Justice Hugo Black. Dana Ivey again plays a secretary, and while her part is small she's always a joy to watch. How accurate is the film? Who knows. But it's enjoyable to watch this ensemble of actors...it all runs like clockwork. Recommended.