The Verdict Film Analysis

In the film The Verdict, the opposing attorneys could not be any more different in their approaches to the case. The medical malpractice suit involves a young woman left comatose after childbirth. She was given anesthetics for the operation, after which she began to choke on her own vomit and became deprived of oxygen. Although the legal issue in the central focus of the case, the story is more about each attorney’s journey to the final verdict, rather the case itself. Frank Galvin, a hard boozing, has-been attorney represents the plaintiff in the case. In stark contrast, the high-profile, sophisticated attorney, Ed Concannon, defends the doctors of the Catholic hospital. Each lawyer differentiates himself with distinct tactics, philosophy,

as well as personal style.
Frank Galvin’s personal style can really be described in two words: pure chaos. How the character can survive in the world, let alone be an attorney is a true mystery. Once a top graduate and a part of a prestigious Boston law firm, Frank is now barely holding onto to his one and only client in his own firm. The film opens with Frank drinking and wasting his time away on a pinball machine. As the film progresses, Frank is continually shown starting his days with a drink in hand at the machine. His drinking and smoking are about all that are consistent is Frank’s life; his behavior is erratic and impulsive throughout the entire movie. He is late to his meetings with the judge and fails to keep is client updated on the case progress. Although an admirable character, Frank is an extremely negligent, and borderline incompetent lawyer. His opposing counsel, Ed Concannon, however, is the epitome of class and professionalism. Concannon walks with his nose high in the air and sips his tea with a pinky raised. Well, that is a slight exaggeration, but the character’s powerful persona and style are anything but subtle. Concannon’s costume choices certainly speak volumes. Dressed in velvet suits and bow ties, he greatly contrasts Frank’s typical disheveled, basic everyday look.
Alternating between scenes of Frank’s and Concannon’s law offices, the audience a clearer picture of how much they differ from one another. Had the movie just been filmed in the courtroom, the audience may not be given a visual representation of the Frank’s disadvantage in the case. Concannon office is filled with plush carpets and ornate, wooden furniture in its many rooms. On the other hand, Frank’s single room office with its chipped paint, dingy furniture, and paper spread everywhere, looks more of an abandoned building than a typical law office.
In the beginning, Frank was nothing but an ambulance chaser.

His passion for serving others is reignited after visiting the comatose women, whom is representing. In the early phases of the case. Frank is presented with a settlement check of $210,000 from the defense. Frank comes to the realization and responds with, “We've been paid to look the other way. I came here to take your money. I brought snapshots to show you so I could get your money. I can't do it; I can't take it. 'Cause if I take the money I'm lost. I'll just be a... rich ambulance chaser. I can't do it. I can't take it” (The Verdict, 1982). Frank views the court system as a way of serving justice to those who have been wronged. In his closing argument, Frank pleads to the jury to not fall prey to doubt, but to instead have faith. Faith that the justice system is serving the wronged and to “act with justice. See, I believe there is justice in our hearts” (The Verdict, 1982). Concannon philosophy of the legal system, on the other hand, is not to discover the truth, but always prevail. Concannon states, “I'd prepared a case and old man White said to me, "How did you do?" And, uh, I said, "Did my best." And he said, "You're not paid to do your best. You're paid to win" (The Verdict, 1982). The defense does not make decisions and strategize based on their moral compass; instead, they do anything and everything possible to succeed. Concannon is even referred to in the film as “the prince of f**king darkness.” His

reputation for his ruthless tactics is known throughout the legal community.
Frank certainly has creative, sometimes unethical ways of collecting information to form his case.

After losing his star witness, he is forced to change approaches mid-way through the trial. Frank discovers that a nurse, during the detrimental operation, has signed off on important documents that supports the defense’s case had since quit and seemingly disappeared. He learns of the nurse’s address and breaks into her mailbox. Frank discovers that the nurse, by the name of Kaitlin Costello, is now a teacher in New York. He goes as far as flying to New York to plead for her testimony. His desperation is apparent in his strategies throughout the film. Frank acts on impulse and hint of luck to guide him through the trial. Very little research, had been done prior to his client’s court date. The only person that seems to keep Frank’s head out of the water is his colleague and old professor, Mickey. Mickey is a fellow lawyer and Frank’s only aid in the case. In fact, he goes as far as leaving a fake note from a nonexistent secretary to give the appearance of a larger staff to his client. Mickey had handled all of the paperwork and proceeding prior to the court date, as Frank seem to be attempting to drink away his sorrows. He continually advises and helps Frank through the process with an occasional dose of tough love. The defense, however, has a much more aggressive and methodical approach to the case. Supported by a large legal team, Concannon has the ability to cover all his

bases and support his case with in-depth research. His associate attorneys spend their time pilfering through the hospital documents and finding holes in the plaintiff’s argument. Concannon goes far beyond the scope of legal research to win his case. His legal team makes strategic moves with the press to present the defendants, the doctors during the operation, in the most favorable light before they stand trial.