This is one of my favorite David vs Goliath stories of all time. It's the (to my mind) perfect fable. A small law firm, 3 lawyers and an accountant makes a good living selecting cases they can win, until the lead lawyer, played by John Travolta, gets hooked and wants to help.The film kind of works as a courtroom drama. It makes several points, rather obviously that the trial process is rather long and not always successful, which in the case of finding a suspect innocent or guilty, can be riveting, but over money, tends to lose some of it's edge. There's a particularly painful and almost pointless scene in a rented hotel boardroom where Travolta asks for a preposterous sum of money that he feels is justified, but he didn't even tell his partners about before hand (really? They put everything they had in this case and they didn't even know what he was going to ask for???) - and of-course the Goliath law firms say no. There's another equally painful scene where the judge (John Lithgow) knows and is friendly with the defendant lawyers and kind of belittles Travolta a little bit. The legal aspect was a bit heavy handed and the loss in trial, disappointing but not surprising. This film lacks the legal edginess and surprises of a few good men - as one example.But what it lacks in legal drama, it makes up for in human interaction. A half dozen scenes in this film are precious to me. John Travolta telling (I forget which one) "this isn't our kind of case" and the other lawyer, I think Tony Shaloub says "if you don't want to take it you tell her" - in effect, you tell the woman who's son died that this isn't our kind of case.His drive up and him stopping at the river - he only stops cause he got a ticket, but you can tell he's thinking. considering his options. He sees dollar signs when he sees the big companies that ultimately own the small company that did the polluting, but he also seems to care. He doesn't just take the case for money - at least, that's what I read into the river scene.Travolta talking to the witnesses is also very real and well done, as they don't trust the big city lawyer and they don't want to betray their company, but beneath it all, they are honest and want to do the right thing - one witness played effectively by James Gandolfini, who I can't help thinking "there's Tony Soprano" whenever I see him on screen.Then there's the frustration with the environmental research team that wants millions of dollars to run tests and properly survey the flow rate of any pollutants released), played brilliantly if briefly by Stephen Fry.And the tension between Travolta and his fellow lawyers as he's pushing the firm towards bankruptcy, some brilliant interactions with William H. Macy and Tony Shaloub. While much of the movie was dramatized the the legal points, more blunt than sharp, it's the interactions and the overall story. Even Travolta's bankruptcy hearing with Cathy Bates was very human. It's the interactions that make this movie and that draw me back to re-watch it when I see it on cable. The parts are bigger than the whole.The whole story has a good guys win in the end, ending too, which almost feels anti-climactic the way it's played out, and that doesn't do justice to the real story - Anne Anderson's 20 year battle, not the 3 years the law firm put into it. Still, blunt story telling and some Hollywood re-writing, warts and all, this still holds together as one of my favorites with some scenes that I can watch again and again. It's a flawed movie, but it's a flawed movie with heart and some brilliant interactions. Unlike many films that are great fun to watch but not ultimately memorable, this one moved me and inspired me to learn more about the full story. 10 out of 10.

Jan Schlichtmann, a personal injury attorney with little to no scruples finds himself in a case where children have died of leukemia based on possible environmental waste issues. A case in which may cost him not only career but everything.A fine court room drama based on real life issues. The acting is what truly makes this film a dramatic and gripping. Travolta does a exceedingly wonderful job portraying Jan Schlichtmann, as well as the all star ensemble cast in this film. The pacing though may be slow for some is filled with pure characterization and all is eventual in the building of this methodical plot. Not just for judicial court room drama enthusiasts but fans of human films with heart. Though some reflect that this film is unrealistic in its presentation of all the facts but for the sake of entertainment and the pacing of the film. The overall mood of this film is somber and delicate but ultimately this films true great points are in its characterization its story and its gripping dramatic heart. I highly recommend this film to any fans of pure cinematic drama and true story enthusiasts, one in which has its morals deeply rooted within the film.

The first thing that I don't like in this movie is that it tries to pass a moral lesson. I don't enjoy that thing on movies, it seems like the filmmakers are saying he's better than the audience and knows more. Second reason, the film runs too slowly. When a movie is interesting, he captures your attention and things happen quickly, which is not the case here. Other than that, the film tries to reach it's climax, but unfortunately, fails. It's like nothing much really happens throughout the whole "mistery".The good thing in this movie is the acting. Many actors I've never heard about act better than many current Hollywood. Also, the subject is interesting and so would be the movie if better directed and written.

Based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, 'A Civil Action', directed neatly by Steven Zaillian, is A Gripping Film, that brings a true-story on celluloid, efficiently. The Writing, at most places, is sharp, and the performances by Travolta and Duvall, are hugely effective.'A Civil Action' is based on a true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1970s. It was a tragic time, for the people who lost their loved ones. And the cinematic version pays respect to them. The Court Scenes are sharply written and executed, while some scenes, especially towards the end, lose pace.Steven Zaillian's Adpated Screenplay is mostly intense and gripping. His direction, is neat as well. Cinematography by Conrad L. Hall is picture perfect. Editing is fair.Performance-Wise: Travolta and Duvall, both own the film. Travolta is flawless as the righteous attorney, while Duvall is powerful and menacing. Among other performances, William H. Macy and James Gandolfini stand on their own with note-worthy performances. John Lithgow is perfect, as ever.On the whole, A Must See Film!