Run time: 1h 35m
Intro
The film “12 Angry Men” has been recommended to me on countless occasions. It is notably one of the most critically acclaimed film’s of all time, being ranked 5th best overall on the IMDB tier list.
I have been meaning to dip my toes into more 50s and 60s films as it is a period in which my cinematic knowledge is fairly brief, and so this movie fit perfectly into my schedule.
Plot
The plot was based off a television play that aired in 1954, centering around the disagreements between 12 jurors serving on a murder case. As the movie progresses, tensions rise and arguments arise making for a challenge decision between the ’12 angry men’.
The story was influential to cinema and plenty of movies have taken inspiration from it and that is why I am awarding the film a 9.5/10 rating for it’s plot.
Acting
The acting was inspired, with each actor capturing their role as the individual jurors. What’s more, the chemistry between all the jurors was electric and really pulled me into the court room.
The acting was excellant and really cemented the film’s realism and authenticity. I believe the cast warrants a rating of 8.5/10.
Characters
The movie centres around 12 jurors deliberating on the sentence of a suspected murderer. Each juror has their own unique opinion on the case due to their duffering personalisties making for a concoction of intriguing discussions.
I was particularly impressed by the character arcs of the jurors and I felt the movie did a good job of focusing on each individual’s development through the film. Therefore I give it an 8.5/10.
Dialogue
The film raised many philosophical questions about ‘right and wrong’ allowing me to ponder my own moral views long after finishing the film. One of the most notable quotes is “It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone even if you believe in something very strongly”, which gives a taste into how thought-provoking the movie is.
The dialogue played a major role in putting across the stimulative style of the movie and that is why I am awarding it a 9/10 rating.
Music
The main theme song of the film was composed by Kenyon Hopkins, who used jazz to create a thought-provoking atmosphere. Although the theme helped to create a engrossing ambience it did not blow me a way.
The music was interesting but did not stand out and so I will be giving it a rating of 8/10
Final verdict
I am very pleased to have added this film to my resume as I truly believe it is a must watch. A ground-breaking story, paired with a fantastic acting display, made for a brilliant viewing and I highly recommend you see it for yourself, if you’ve got the time.