Whether you’re a college senior slaving away on writing your personal statement law school, or a law student, or just someone interested in law, then watching movies featuring law students and the law school experience may just be your thing. If you’re planning to enter law school, these movies can give you insights on how it is to be in law school and what law students usually have to go through. Below are five movies fit for anyone who’s interested in law.
Paper Chase
Directed by James Bridges, Paper Chase is a 1973 film based on the novel with the same title written by John Jay Osborn, Jr. The movie focuses on the life of Hart (played by Timothy Bottoms), who is a first year student in Harvard Law School. Hart soon becomes the adversary of his Contract Law professor, Charles Kingsfield, Jr. (played by John Houseman). Adding to the dilemma of Hart is his discovery that he’s dating his professor’s daughter. Often cited as one of the best movies that provide an accurate depiction of life in law school, the movie has also gained glowing reviews as it has an emotionally gripping plot.
The Pelican Brief
Based on the novel written by John Grisham, The Pelican Brief stars Julia Roberts as Darby Shaw, a law school student who stumbles upon some very interesting details while doing some research on the death of two Supreme Court Justices. Darby finds out that these details involve several men in high places. Darby shows her research and theories, which then becomes known as the Pelican Brief, to her law professor, Thomas Callahan, who then shows it to his friend, Gavin Verheek. Both men are killed soon after and Darby goes on the run as she fears that her life will be the next target.
The Trials of Law School
An 87-minute film, The Trials of Law School follows the life of several law students at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. They come from very different backgrounds, each with his or her own expectations, hopes, and dreams. This film deals largely with how law students manage their studies and their personal lives, making it a definite must-watch film for all law school students.
Legally Blonde
Bubbly and perky Elle Woods, the president of her sorority famous for its good-looking members, is the last person you would imagine to enter the “serious” world of law school. When Elle Woods’s boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, breaks up with her, she becomes determined to get him back. She sets out for Harvard Law School, finding herself in a place that is such a far cry from the comforts she’s used to. At Harvard, Elle is met with skepticism and hostility, and she sets out to do everything she can in her studies, and becomes one of the notable students in her class. Despite garnering mixed reviews from movie critics, this movie became a surprise box office hit. It eventually led to a sequel, which was a far cry in terms of box office sales and reviews from the original.
Reversal of Fortune
In this movie, Claus von Bulow is convicted for the attempted murder of his wife, so he seeks the help of Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz. Unlike other legal thrillers, this movie does not focus on the trial, but rather on the preparatory work that Dershowitz does along with his students so that they can disprove the case and achieve acquittal for von Bulow.
Photo Credit : Lady Orlando
