Trial and Error (1997)'s comments

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Siskoid

Trial and Error tries to propel post-Seinfeld Michael Richards to movie stardom, but his character feels like a watered-down Kramer playing in a bad sitcom idea he might have given Jerry. Basically, he's an idiot actor who, through plot contrivances, has to pose as his lawyer friends in court for the length of a trial. It's not exactly bad, as these things go, with Rip Torn at times amusing as the defendant, and a palatable resolution, I guess. It's not exactly a great film for Jeff Daniels either, playing his frustration in an over-the-top, tear-your-hair-out way. But it IS a pretty good turn for Charlize Theron as a vivacious, freedom-loving alternative to his horrendous fiancée at home. And there lies a source of ambivalence. By being exactly what he needs, "Billy" falls under the category of manic pixie girl (though not really manic; he's the manic one), so she's dangerously close to entirely being in his story's service. That's not a good look, especially in a movie where the Kramer character is so lascivious. The one moment where we're alone with her, sans Daniels, is great, and hints at the film's theme, namely that we're all actors, putting on performances, at the risk of believing our own shit. The locations are beautiful too. Shame about the TV-level score. Not great, but not as bad as people make out either.

4 years 7 months ago

VETTE1

Charlize is stunning!

12 years 7 months ago