A CIVIL ACTION is one of those films that really is good, yet you find yourself somewhat reluctantly saying so (or with total conviction). Indeed, the movie draws you in all the way and perhaps this is its flaw. Now you’re saying, how can that be bad? Well, to address this, there may be a few plot spoilers in my comments below.

      In the film, you want John Travolta to beat Robert Duvall so bad you can taste it. That doesn’t happen, at least in the way that you want. Some will say, it actually happened like that (because it’s based on a true story) so you can’t change it. Granted. Well as much as movies do change things, even factual events, I don’t think it’s a solid defense to cling to. Yet, I digress. The movie is very good, but it leaves you wanting a grand climax that never occurs. Again, some will chalk this up to realism, but it was a feeling I couldn’t shake. I wasn’t totally fulfilled and that’s the truth, so why should I lie? A CIVIL ACTION is still one of the best films of 1998, despite my problems with the conclusion. Check it out for yourself. :-)