Devil's Advocate [1998]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Too old for Hamlet and too young for Lear--what's an ambitious actor to do? Play the Devil, of course. Jack Nicholson did it in The Witches of Eastwick; Robert De Niro did it in Angel Heart (as Louis Cyphre--get it?). In The Devil's Advocate Al Pacino takes his turn as the great Satan, and clearly relishes his chance to raise hell. He's a New York lawyer, of course, by the name of John Milton, who recruits a hotshot young Florida attorney (Keanu Reeves) to his firm and seduces him with tempting offers of power, sex and money. Think of the story as a twist on John Grisham's The Firm, with the corporate evil made even more explicit. Reeves is wooden, and therefore doesn't seem to have much of a soul to lose, but he's really just our excuse to meet the devil. Pacino's the main attraction, gleefully showing off his--and the Antichrist's--chops at perpetrating menace and mayhem. --Jim Emerson

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Synopsis
A lawyer who has never lost a case and has almost a perfect life receives a job offer too good to be true...

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Customer reviews

review by: tangerineman date: 2008-05-17 rating:
Sell your soul? No thanks mate
Keanu Reeves plays Kevin Lomax a brilliant attorney whose success causes such interest in him that a very powerful Firm in New York offer him a great job. Lomax takes it and he and his wife (played by Charlize Theron) move to the big apple to begin their new life. Sadly, things aren't quite what they seem. Al Pacino is no other than Satan himself and Reeves is actually his son (having done the deed with his mother many moons ago). Things start to go horribly wrong for Lomax who realises that his wife has gone crazy with a need to go home as well as a place of work that appears more odd to him the harder he looks. The film ticks along nicely throughout and Pacino does put in a good effort. Reeves also does his part well and the film is enjoyable. There is little to be critical about here. Its not deep and meaningful (in my view) but is the sort of film you will watch more than once. That in itself is praise enough.

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review by: date: 2008-02-22 rating:
Do you believe in God or Satan?
Forget the actors. I suspect nobody but Al could do the lead, but thats not the point.
This film will seperate people. Its either amazíngly bríllíant or rubbish, no 'in-betweens'. Its sort of an allegory of life itself, i.e. do you "belive in God" or not?
I suspect Christians will hate this film. However you have to applaud the screenwriter, and I've never seen a better film about the conflict of good versus evil. This is one of those films that deserves a seperate discussion page, but I dont know how to do that.
I sort of feel that the story is based on a classic pre-Christianic mythical battle between "good and evil", or between "God, and son of God", possibly of Indian origin? I dont know, but I look forward to other opinions.

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review by: mccanns23 date: 2008-01-29 rating:
a good sharp shock
devils advocate is about choices,the film handles that ideal well despite an over the top feel to it.
Keanu reeves plays a lawyer who gets the guilty off with their crimes even when it is clear he isnt certain of their innocence,he is up and coming,direct and brutal in the courtroom,it is clear he is destined for big things,when a law firm headed up by al pacino comes a calling his life and that of his wife will never be the same.
Choice is factor here as i alluded too,we have choices in life but some choices are better rewarded even when they puncture our reputation and eat away at your sense of decency,pacino plays a character of real evil and mystique,as the film unfolds you learn more of what he is about,i wont spoil it here,the film looks good,feels good and causes a reaction,the ending is a bit too much of a safe net but this does the job more or less,3.5 out of 5.

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review by: SRW date: 2007-09-29 rating:
BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW !!
Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino make a great film together.

Reeves plays an ambitious young defence lawyer, who will win a case at whatever cost, even if he feels his client is guilty.

His talents do not go unnoticed and a fat pay cheque is offered by a city law firm, run by the mysterious and flambouyant Pacino.

If i tell you who Pacino portrays, you may stop reading as it sounds far-fetched. BUT TRUST ME, THE FILM IS BRILLIANT.


review by: date: 2006-06-09 rating:
Great Entertainment - Al Pacino is awesome
I watched The Devils Advocate with slightly low expectations, having read several mediocre, 2 star ish reviews.
I was pleasantly surprised - it kept me watching all the way to the end (and im notorious for stopping a movie half way in and continuing the next night) and never once felt boring or slow.
The acting is good- Al Pacino, my favorite actor is just great as usual and even Keanu Reeves is good, although his 'southern'accent is just wrong.
OK, its not entirely believable, but what movie about satan is. The sets and effects are also great and there is just enough horror to keep you on your toes.
The end is a bit of a shock though
All in all I highly recommend this movie to everyone. I think this will stand up to repeat viewings in the future well too

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