Phil Spector - Al Pacino [DVD]

This obviously gives you very good insight from this particular lawyers perspective but not necessarily the actual facts in the end. It was very well done showing the relationship that developed between client and lawyer and interesting that she believed in his innocence unlike the majority of the public and in fact some other high profile lawyers. It was fascinating to see that both of them had very complex characters and of course she had a life-threatening illness throughout the entire scenario. Al Pacino's performance of this crazy man was spot on if that's a true reflecting of Phil Spectors' behavior privately and publicly. Likewise Helen Mirren was, as usual, superb although the viewer is not familiar with her character in real life.. I would highly recommend this if you like legal dramas. It also makes viewing particularly interesting if you followed this high profile murder case like I did from beginning to end. (when I was living in USA. at the time). The only negative is I thought the price of renting this video was a bit high and is not easy to find either. Only on Amazon I believe. It was released years ago and can't understand why it is so difficult to find movies like this in Britain especially when it involves one of our very own actresses.

This is an excellent film. I thought when I bought it, that even though there were two top actors in the lead roles, it would have been a bit weak, with a flimsy storyline.I even thought the actors, who obviously can pick and chose the parts they play were silly for doing it. Even to the point that it may impact negatively on their flawless careers.I was wrong about all my preconceptions. The story was captivating, from the opening scenes to the roll of the end credits.In fact I was sorry when it ended, the time spent watching it went so quick, and although it was 92 minutes long, it was so good it seemed to last about half the time.The acting was brilliant, from both Helen Mirren and Al Pacino, as you'd expect. But the whole cast and team deserve top marks also.The film has changed my mind about Phil Spector. I always loved his music, and still did up to the time of the accusation of him being a murderer, the negative press coverage and various other books, that he was a freak and a bit of a psychotic monster. All that sort of killed the moment as far as the great music he produced in the 60's went.Anyway, this movie has changed my whole way of looking at him, and this is one if the greatest gifts watching this film has given back to me. I now realise I have been wrong to have judged him so harshly. Especially on hearsay.He has a certain eccentricity, but behind the eccentricity there is a gentle, sweetness about him, an intelligent and wise person but at times with a childlike innocence too. Although in a more mature way than the Michael Jackson wayWhether he was guilty of the crime, or not, I don't know. I was certain that he was, and almost hated him for it. But after watching this movie I have serious doubts that he was guilty. He was cruxified by the media, and even though, as someone who adored his music, thought he was guilty, and was better off the streets. I no longer think this way.I think he got a bad deal, and hope he will get justice. Even if it's only an early release.Buy this film, it's anything but lightweight, or flimsy (as I thought it would have been), it's a well thought out and absorbing trial drama, it's a story about the lawyer and the person she's defending. It makes a strong case, and makes you think. Any film that makes you think is worth every penny...absolutely brilliant.

...this is an abhorrent piece of work...Mirren's perpetual coughing and spluttering in the film (...aaaww...the poor deluded lawyer she played reckons she had pneumonia)... ironically sums up the growing malaise I felt throughout the whole twisted, distorted and wildly biased and inaccurate garbage I had to suffer watching....and leaves you feeling sick at heart. Pacino plays Pacino...not Spector...(the pay-cheque must have been massive)....it's a slur on Lana Clarkson's life.....I would hope that David 'muppet' Mamet will never be allowed to work again....but, unfortunately,(yet another bitter irony)... his overblown reputation precedes him...(oh...and the final insult was, on 'Amazon Prime'..... the audio was out of sync!!)

I was IMDBing Mamet and decided to give this a try. It's definately one of his best screenplays - and Pacino is magnetic as the entitled Spector, at times remiding me of his signature performance as Ricky Roma in Glengarry Glenross. I'm not a fan of Dame Helen but she's perfect in this too. Overall - it looks like an odd recipe on paper - but it really works.

Poorly made film

Confusing: Ok so it is fiction based on real people? Or maybe just fictional so they don't get sued? Phil Spector was a music producer accused of shooting a woman.Interesting: If the forensics are accurate that is interestingExcellent Al Pacino acting doing a couple of those rants he does so well.

This film deals with this controversial topic in an intelligent and sensitive manner. It was enthralling from beginning to end. It is important to note that this is a dramatisation and not an account of real events.

I enjoyed this very much in spite of the sad content