Lumet Often Overlooked

Rating: 9/10 (8 September 2013)

There's a lot of great performances in this classic, but you don't often hear about the flawless direction by Sidney Lumet. With only two sets, the jury room and the washroom, Lumet's camera always seems to be in the right place, and the small shifts and movements let the viewer feel as if they're the thirteenth member watching the truth unfold in front of them. Bravo.
One can only wonder what kind of control Lumet was able to exercise with this formidable cast. Fonda is his usually restrained self, but Cobb, who usually shouts in every role I can remember, has a genuine humanity that deepens with the unfolding of the story. I have to be honest, he's not my favorite of the era, but this role really redeems him in, my eyes. All the others put in solid performances (you'll see a lot of familiar faces if you watched any 60's TV). I particularly like Jack Klugman and EG Marshall, even if their roles seem a bit reminiscent to future or past performances.
All in all an enduring film which actually offers something new with every viewing. Isn't that what we all look for in a "classic"?