12 Angry Men

Sidney Lumet’s first film, 12 Angry Men follows a dozen jurors as they attempt to determine the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murdering his father. It’s a simple premise that’s employed to sporadically electrifying effect by Lumet, as the director, along with screenwriter Reginald Rose, does a superb job of introducing each of the (nameless) twelve men of the title – with the uniformly stellar performances going a long way towards initially luring the viewer into the claustrophobic proceeds. Star Henry Fonda delivers a typically compelling and thoroughly charismatic turn as the lone juror convinced of the accused’s innocence, with the actor’s magnetic work matched by a supporting cast that includes, among others, Jack Klugman, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, and Lee J. Cobb. (The latter is often riveting as Fonda’s most vocal and tenacious opponent, and there’s little doubt that the film is at its best when focused on the two characters’ increasingly contentious arguments.) It’s not terribly surprising to note, however, that 12 Angry Men‘s dialogue-heavy structure results in a decidedly erratic midsection, with the movie’s few lulls stemming mostly from the characters’ penchant for small talk. This is a minor complaint, of course, for what is otherwise an above average drama, and it’s clear, too, that the film has aged surprisingly well in the years since its 1957 release.

*** out of ****