A Civil Action

Released 1998
Stars John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub, William H. Macy, Zeljko Ivanek, James Gandolfini, Bruce Norris, John Lithgow
Directed by Steven Zaillian

Slick Boston injury lawyer gets in over his head when he takes a case against two industrial giants whose alleged pollution of a river caused the deaths of children in Woburn, Mass. Engrossing, literate, well-observed film (adapted by the director from Jonathan Harr's best-seller) explores the foibles of American justice--and how pride, human frailty, and emotions can affect a case. Based on a true story.

Summary by Leonard Maltin