Witness for the Prosecution

 

DIRECTED BY-:
Billy Wilder
STARRING-:
Charles Laughton
Tyrone Power
Marlene Dietrich

YEAR OF RELEASE-:
1957
PREMISE-:

A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS.

THE NEGATIVES:

THE CLIMAX

  • It could’ve been better explained what exactly motivated Christine to reveal the truth to Wilfrid.
  • Conveniently, all of the key characters happen to gather together in one place.
  • It was very unrealistic that the knife, which Christine uses, was left lying on the court table, since it was material evidence. It was also unrealistic to see that the person she used it on died INSTANTLY.

THE POSITIVES:

  • Apart from the above mentioned issues in the climax of the film, most of the movie’s plot was logically sound and interesting without being too convoluted.
  • Although the entire cast brought their A-game to the film, Charles Laughton as Wilfrid Robarts stood out as not only the best performer but also as the most endearing character. Hilariously grumpy as he is with his caretaker, there’s always a hint of unquenched enthusiasm inside him, especially when he’s made aware of the facts of the case. His antics and snarky remarks could’ve left a bitter taste in the audience’s mind, but Laughton finds the perfect balance between being irritable and being genuinely interested to get to the bottom of the case. There is also a universally appreciated redemption and return-to-glory aspect to his character which makes him instantly likable. The film’s crisp, witty, and efficient dialogues further accentuate its brilliant performances.
  • Even though majority of the film takes place in a courtroom, it never feels repetitive or tedious. This is due to its skillful use of flashbacks that provide the audience room to breathe and time to soak in the story, as well as due its dynamic cinematography, unpredictable plot twists, and clever editing tricks that convey the passage of time well. Overall, this ingenuity in filmmaking makes for a very engaging, immersive, and memorable viewing experience.
RATING-: 7/10


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