The Devil's Advocate Review
by Nicholas Amado (NAMIAM AT aol DOT com)November 3rd, 1997
The Devil's Advocate
Starring:
Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Craig T. Nelson and Jeffrey Jones Directed by Taylor Hackford
Running approx 140 min.
Taylor Hackford has crossed over to the Dark Side. Perhaps he has tiptoed his way there with films like "An Officer and a Gentleman", "Against All Odds", and "Dolores Claiborne", but with his latest "The Devil's Advocate", there is no turning back.
He has assembled quite a fine group of talent for this twisted satire; Veteran Director of Photography Andrzej Bartkowiak, 8 time Oscar nominee Al Pacino, and special effects and make-up guru Rick Baker. Bartkowiak is of particular interest to this writer because of his extensive work with master filmmaker Sidney Lumet. Baker is known for his work on "The Nutty Professor", "Coming To America" and "Wolf" (as well as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video.)
Reeves stars as a Florida Assistant DA turned defense lawyer Kevin Lomax who, after the realization of his client's guilt, decides to go for the gold and de stroy a key witness on the stand in a cruel and heartless manner. His unblemished record catches the eye of a major Manhattan law firm and it's senior partner John Milton, played by Al Pacino. Reeves and his wife (Charlize Theron, in a break-through role) are given the royal treatment and a glorious appartment on the upper west side. Lomax is the new ace of the firm, aided without question by the mysterious Milton, and is given a triple homicide trial. But as Lomax becomes more greedily involved in his case load, his neglected wife witnesses gruesome and violent scenes, from disembowelments to gruesome murders and flashes of demonic faces. Her visions lead to insanity, and Lomax is forced to choose between his wife and the case. We realize that Milton is indeed Satan, and is controlling the lives of this young couple, and virtually everyone else around him. (And Milton spelled backward is Notlim...think about it.)
This bold and daring film makes a number of interesting statements, some more obvious than others. It is no mistake that attorneys are chosen to represent evil here. They control the law, and the law controls us. But the movie is telling us that evil easily appeals to our vanity, and that our egos will give in. Even when we think we've managed to dodge it, or even stop it, evil remains, lurking around the corner.
"The Devil's Advocate" is dangerously close to an NC-17 rating. The violence is rather grotesque, but spread out in small amounts over two and a half hours, and thus not terribly overdone. The full frontal nudity and graphic sexual situations, though, rival that of any erotic piece of recent filmmaking. Demi Moore would have needed a lot more than $12 million to expose her breasts as long as some of the women in this film. Due to the extensive and intense dialogue, the intriguing storyline and the beauty of the cinematography (and again, a two and a half hour running time....) this can't be categorized as a horror film, but it comes close. Don't bring your 10 year olds, folks.
Pacino gives a top-notch performance as Lucifer. His loud, over-the-top actions that became so popular with his performance in "Scent of a Woman" are brought out again, this time in a much more devious and cocky manner. Pacino manages to get in a few chuckles from the audience as well. Indeed, this fine actor is worthy of another Oscar nomination. And you can certainly win for a bad-to-the-bone villian. Just ask Anthony Hopkins. Pacino certainly may once again be nominated twice in the same year for an Academy Award. Recall his performance as Lefty Ruggerio in "Donnie Brasco".
Reeves is trying so hard to show us that he really thinks he is a good actor, and he certainly manages to impress now and again. But as happens so often, the actor's power is lessened by his silly attempt at holding an uncomfortable accent. Reeve's southern accent, though always slight, flutters in and out so often, you just don't know who he is trying to be. This inconsistency really knocks a few points off of an otherwise superb performance. Theron plays Reeve's wife and may have just signed a letter of intent for stardom. Her sexuality and porcelain doll face make her the perfect victim for Satan to crush. Though she spends much of her time yelling and crying, she does a perfect job of portraying her frustration at not being able to communicate with her husband. Theron breaks to pieces in the film, but does so slowly and methodically, and really gives a grade-A performance. Jones and Nelson met with chuckles from the audience upon their first appearance on-screen. Obviously, "Mr. Rooney" and "Coach" were the first thoughts on the minds of many, but that shouldn't get in the way of these fine performances.
This twisted tale of sexual depravity and omnipresent evil makes for a good scare, and some deep thinking. Some of the visuals may be a bit harsh now and again, but it isn't overbearing. The editing is astonishing throughout. Mostly because it is so bad in some cases and so fantastic in others. But Bartkowiak's and Hackford's camera work is brilliant and worth a second look. The special effects are simple but un-aviodable. They make themselves apparent in every effects scene, however they don't ruin a thing. Rick Baker certainly leaves his mark. "The Devil's Advocate" doesn't need to be as long as it is. (Yes, two and a half hours.) Fifteen minutes could easily have been cut. But Pacino, Theron and even Reeves to some extent, as well as Bartkowiak's masterful work, and the exceptional Art Direction, make this a thrilling and creepy ride. It keeps you on your toes to the end. And when I say "end" I mean the final shot. Don't leave to go to the bathroom.
Three out of Four stars.
Copyright (C) 1997 Nicholas Amado
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