Order in the court! My favorite legal films of all time

Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men

This column is being written at the behest of my darling girlfriend -- who is an attorney herself and has regularly asked me to write something about my favorite "legal" films. I should preface this list by saying that generally I don't tend to like the genre.

Much in the same way that most sports movies inevitably lead to the "big game" in their final act, most films about lawyers end up being about the courtroom hysterics which are usually visually stale and dramatically inert.

And sorry, but I've never been a Law & Order fanatic, it always sort of bored me.

And while these kinds of movies often provide great opportunities for actors to ham it up -- they can be pretty forgettable sometimes.

That said, I can appreciate a great drama/story when I see one. Here are a few of the legal movies I love:

Presumed Innocent (1990): Harrison Ford is compelling in this slick and twisty film about a high powered attorney accused of killing a colleague that he had an affair with. It's shocking now to see a film with no chases or fight scenes contain this much tension. The first rate acting keeps you riveted and the legal intrigue is engrossing.

12 Angry Men (1957): This film deserves its reputation as one of the great dramas of its day. Henry Fonda anchors a stellar cast of men sweating it out in a jury room. He plays one lone juror who questions the guilt of the accused and he spends the entire film trying to bring the other men to his side. An original and brilliantly shot film (Sidney Lumet's breakthrough). Earnest and inspiring.

Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton (2007): This one is a bit of a cheat since none of the action takes place in courtrooms, it's all behind the scenes machinations. But I think it's worthy since its story revolves around attorneys who are both compromised and playing with fire. George Clooney gives one of his best performances in this totally modern and believable thriller.

Inherit the Wind (1960): Just recently discovered this incredibly prescient and incisive drama which recreates the infamous Scopes trial over the right to teach evolution. This movie could probably never get made today which only increases its power. Spencer Tracy gives one of his greatest performances as the lawyer taking the unpopular position on the side of science.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962): Perfect adaptation of the best-selling book is pretty much everyone's favorite courtroom drama at this point, even though the narrative is about more than just Atticus Finch's heroics on behalf of a black defendant. Still, Peck's performance as Finch has become something of an American ideal of what we wish lawyers were like.

Primal Fear (1996): Richard Gere and Edward Nortion make for a dynamic duo in this entertaining potboiler. Gere is terrific as a cocky star defense attorney who thinks he's one step ahead of everyone and Norton is his equal as a young killer who actually is. The ending of this film really makes everything that came before it so much better. An underrated gem.

Runaway Jury (2003): One of the better adaptations of John Grisham's work though it has been largely unseen. John Cusack leads an all-star cast in a film that gives us a glimpse of the other side of the process -- jury selection. And in addition to its typical thrills, it includes the one and only time Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman have squared off in a movie.

The Firm (1993): If you can just buy into the ridiculous premise (a literal killer law firm), this is a very smart and enjoyable thriller featuring Tom Cruise at his mainstream movie star best. Sidney Pollack is such an excellent director he actually makes Wilford Brimley seem like a credible and scary villain. It's a real popcorn movie that has its slow points but delivers when you want it to (if unrealistically).

Erin Brockovich (2000): It's become very hip to hate on this film and Julia Roberts' Oscar winning performance because, well, people hate Julia Roberts. But she really is fantastic in this film and Steven Soderbergh tapped into qualities in her that I've never seen before or since. It helps that she's surrounded by a top-notch cast (which includes Albert Finney) in this true story of paralegal who helps win a historic class action suit.

The Verdict (1982): Another Sidney Lumet classic and quite possibly the greatest film ever made about lawyers. Paul Newman is incredible as a boozing ambulance chaser who sees a medical negligence case as his one shot at redemption. Stirring and deeply moving at times, this movie really draws you in, so much so that you're hanging on every scene and word.

There are still quite a few courtroom classics I either need to revisit (...And Justice for All) or see for the first time (Judgment at Nuremberg), so there may yet be more titles that I would theoretically add to this list. But for now this is my final ruling.

Dismissed!