A Lawyer Walks Into A Bar is a lurid tale of lawyers and lawsuits and America's fascination with both. To sue or not to sue, that is the question. The documentary explores the influence of the law and its practitioners on ... more »American culture, while following six characters as they do whatever it takes to become lawyers themselves.« less
"I saw the film at the SXSW film festival and had no idea what to expect. This film does an amazing job of exploring the culture of law and litigiousness in America, while diving into the lives of some cast members studying for the Bar Exam. You'd think this might be somewhat dry on the surface, but I was hooked in from minute one. I really found myself rooting for, and against, some of the characters in the movie. If Hollywood made more of these kind of movies, I'd be in the theater every week.
I'm not a lawyer, but if you are one, you have to see this film. And if you're studying to become one - this is a must see, without question. My sister-in-law just took the bar exam and I made her drive to a film festival in California to see the film. It was a real eye-opener for her; she got an immediate taste of what it was going to be like. I personally had no idea it was such a stressful/comedic/horrifying/insane experience. There's a poor guy in the film that has taken the exam more than 40 times. There's also reference to some guy that got so frustrated with the exam that he burned down the state bar's offices.
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. The cameos by the likes of Scott Turow and Nancy Grace and Alan Dershowitz were incredibly insightful and provocative, regardless of where you stand on the issue of litigation in this country. There are a couple of segments with famous attorneys that will blow your mind. The lawyer in Texas, Joe Jamail, deserves his own movie. Very, very entertaining film."
Great Film!
AusTex | Austin, TX United States | 07/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had the pleasure of seeing this at SXSW and have been waiting for it to come out on DVD to share with my friends. Don't need to be a lawyer to love this doc."
Must see for lawyers and law students & worth a look for all
A. Sabayrac | Austin (University of Texas) | 07/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought this film was very well made and was stressful, hilarious, sad, and inspiring at various parts of the film.
I saw it at SXSW as a law student and just recently took the Texas bar. I thought back to the film often while studying, and I plan to get together with friends in November to watch it on DVD when I find out whether I passed or failed.
It's hard for me to judge what a non lawyer/law student would think about A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar, but my gut is that even those who aren't connected with the law would enjoy the insight this movie gives to the human side of lawyers & maybe the role lawyers play in our society."
Really enjoyed this film! ***
Charles Martin | LA LA LAND | 07/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not even a lawyer but my law student buddy took me along on a jaunt to a festival in Newport,CA and I have to say it's pretty good. The suspense created by the sheer hell of preparing for the CA bar coupled with the interesting and often thought provoking slants on lawsuits and America's appetite for them keeps you in your seat."
Amazing find!
Ianthe Low | 07/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had no idea the law profession was so crazy and difficult. This was such a funny, poignant way to look into a world I didn't know, thank god! A great gift for anyone who's considering becoming a lawer. Really interesting."