I’ve been at “The Firm”

Blog, Law and Entertainment

It’s been a long time. Sorry. Let me first begin by saying that there were certain life activities that have kept me away from this blog (law school). But. . . I am back and better than ever!!

You know, Johann Sebastian Bach the German composer and musician?

Well, not better than ever. This is the best it’s going to get.

Life Update: I survived the first year of law school. Which isn’t easy. You think your life is going to like:

However, it’s more like…

Next thing you know, every human interaction is a chance to tell everyone how difficult law school is…

Now, I plan to use every human interaction to deliver great commentary on movies, shows, and plays. I know what you are thinking…

Yes, I know. But what if I tell you it is more complicated than that.

For example, The Firm, a 1993 thriller starring Tom Cruise and Jeanne Tripplehorn is a shocking tale about Mitch McDeere, a young Harvard Law who gets offered an opportunity of a life time. Recruited by all the top firms in all the top cities, McDeere decides to accept a small firm in Texas. This is no average firm. Warning there are spoilers ahead.

The firm gives him:

  • A fully furnished house
  • New car
  • Phone
  • Bar Exam preparation courses
  • Prestige
  • Happiness

For Mr. McDeere, a brilliant yet broke law student, this is better than a dream come true. Before I move on, can we take a moment to appreciate young Tom Cruise. . .


I’ll teach you about jurisdiction if we change the venue to my place


Wow

Okay…court is now back in session.

What begins as a dream come quickly changes into a living nightmare. The firm is legal counsel to the Mafia and every attorney they’ve hired has died when trying to leave. Luckily, Mr. McDeere uses his good looks intelligence to strategically defeat the firm while still following the law. It’s a tremendous thriller. Made in 1993, The Firm is a movie far beyond its time. A thriller with a sophisticated twist demonstrating how crafty one can be while still following the law.

If you are one of those people who are constantly looking for “the loophole,” you’ll find it in this film. Perfectly captured on film, director Sydney Pollack displays what it truly means to “think like a lawyer.”

To add, the movie has some pretty colorful characters. Holly Hunter plays a risqué yet clever secretary. Gary Busey plays a savvy private investigator. While David Strathairn plays McDeere’s older brother, a man convicted for committing manslaughter. The four characters create an unlikely team, making the audience laugh, cry and stay at the edge of the seat until the very end.

The film leverages on McDeere’s inability to move on from his insecurity. Growing up in a lower economic class, McDeere strived to give his wife the house, car, and stability to create the life they have always wanted. However, McDeere traded his dream for a harsh reality. His salary-driven decision did not make him happier. In fact, it got him into more trouble.

Overall this film was a classic cinematic masterpiece. A must-see for action lovers, thrill-seekers, and intellectuals everywhere. 🙂



Bodyguard: Love in the First 5 Minutes

Blog, TV Shows

Some people believe in love at first sight. Which is valid, I do too. It can be a person’s captivating smile, that twinkle in their eye, or they’re simply giving off the right aura. Whatever that inexplicable attraction may be….I’ve felt it. It happened. Recently. During the first five minutes…of watching Bodyguard on Netflix.

Damn, this show actually makes me want to be a spy. Actually, no correction. This show makes me want to commit a crime that is a threat to national security just so Richard Madden comes to my rescue.

source

Ignoring his outstanding good looks and charming accent, it is no surprise Richard Madden received a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a drama series. He perfectly melts into his role throughout the entire pilot.  The show centers around Richard Madden as David Budd, a war veteran who works as a Metropolitan Police Service in the Royalty and Specialist Protection in London. In episode 1, we are quickly exposed to David’s private life. He is captivating. In the first twenty minutes, he calms down a suicide bomber thanks to his striking good looks wit and communication skills. While the next scenes show us he is talking with his ex-wife (Vicky) about their dissolving marriage.

After his successful negotiation with the suicide bomber, David is appointed as the police protection officer for Britain’s Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). Montague is the definition of HBIC. She’s a stern politician, advocating for British involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as increasing government powered surveillance to protect public safety. Julia’s numerous enemies don’t make David’s job any easier. Plus, David’s broken relationship with Vicky makes him extremely emotionally available. UGH, so Julia and David end up having some mad attraction between each other. *rolls eyes out of jealousy

But David experiences his own inner conflicts. He is loyal and devoted to a case that repeatedly places him in life-threatening situations while constantly reminded of traumatic memories, accompanied by emotional and physical stress. The disparity produces a cognitive dissonance, which is why David appears to be so unhappy in the first episode.

Although it’s just the beginning, I’m in love. I found myself glued to every, single, micro-expression that David made throughout the episode. Within the first episode, Bodyguard has proved to be a well-written political thriller that is all-encompassing. The dialogue and cinematic style create a story filled with anticipation that kept me hooked the entire time. I can’t wait to see what happens next.


BUY ME COFFEE

Like what you see? Donate $5 to buy me coffee so I can have the fuel I need to keep producing great content! If you want to give more, feel free to up the quantity (:

$5.00