A
Civil Action follows a well-established formula in
presenting a true story based on a well-researched book by
journalist Jonathan Hart: Big business (Beatrice Foods and
W. R. Grace) has harmed humble individuals, causing death
and disease, by dumping toxic waste into the drinking water
of Woburn, Massachusetts. Jan Schlichtmann, a lawyer who at
first was reluctant to accept the case, goes through a personal
transformation as he decides to go for broke to aid the families.
Indeed, he becomes broke while clever lawyers representing
the corporations maneuver an acquittal. In desperation, Schlichtmann
sends the documents to the Environmental Protection Agency,
which finds another basis to sue the two errant corporations,
which have to pay an enormous fine, the largest amount ever
assessed for environmental damage in New England. As the film
ends, we are told that Schlichtmann is currently representing
New Jersey plaintiffs in a similar suit. During the film we
hear explanations about the legal process -- opposing lawyers
settle most such suits out of court, judges make arbitrary
rulings in order to shorten the proceedings, juries decide
cases based on personalities of the lawyers, and similar points
are made to show that money rather than human rights is paramount
in most litigation of this sort. The film, directed by Steven
Zaillian, has been nominated both as an EXPOSE, bringing the
facts about the case and the legal process to the attention
of filmviewers, and for promoting consciousness of HUMAN RIGHTS.
MH
I
want to comment on this film
