Legal Eagles

Plot synopsis:
Tom Logan (Robert Redford) is an Assistant District Attorney in the New York City District Attorney's Office, who is on his way to becoming the new District Attorney. Into his life enters Laura Kelly (Debra Winger), an attorney who is representing Chelsea Deardon (Daryl Hannah). Chelsea is accused of stealing a painting from millionaire Mr. Forrester (John McMartin). However, Chelsea claims that the painting is actually hers, as her father made it for her and signed it to her on her 8th birthday 18 years ago – the same day that her father and most of his paintings went up in smoke in a mysterious fire.
Kelly eventually manages to talk Logan into helping them (after she creates an impromptu press conference at the dinner where Logan is being introduced as the new candidate for District Attorney). However, things turn even more mysterious when Forrester suddenly drops all charges against Chelsea since he has swapped the painting for a Picasso with museum curator Victor Taft (Terence Stamp), Kelly and Logan find out about this after they go to Forrester's house to ask him about the alleged crime. That night police detective Cavanaugh (Brian Dennehy) comes up with proof that the paintings that supposedly were lost in the fire—which were worth millions in insurance—are still in existence and that Chelsea's father was murdered and the murder was covered up, something which he claims put a strain on his career since it was his investigation. Chelsea also continues coming on to Logan, coming to his apartment being fearful of someone following her. When Logan goes to investigate, he is shot at but the shooter misses and escapes. Logan agrees to continue trying to protect Chelsea while Kelly and him continue her investigation into the paintings. After an attempt by Taft to blow up a warehouse with incriminating information—which almost blows Logan and Kelly up as well—Logan and Kelly find evidence of a massive insurance fraud between Taft, Deardon and Joe Brock, a third man who was sent to prison.
Chelsea goes to Taft's apartment with a gun, with the intent to threaten him and obtain information. What happens then is not seen but Chelsea goes back to Logan's apartment after being there. She tells him what she had done, claims that Taft managed to get the gun from her and hit her and she is now afraid of the repercussions. Logan's daughter from his ex-wife, Jennifer (Jennifer Dundas), is there and does not take kindly to her which leads her to worsen Logan's ex-wife's view on what is actually happening when she comes to take their daughter to her home and finds Chelsea in Logan's apartment. After they are alone Logan makes Chelsea a bed for her to sleep on her own but during the night Chelsea goes into Logan's bed and he fails to resist, they sleep together. Next morning police bust into Logan's room waking both up and arresting Chelsea for Taft's murder. Logan's career as an Assistant District Attorney is finished. Logan reluctantly teams up with Kelly, which is also encouraged by Logan's daughter who thinks the two make a good couple. Realizing that a sculpture Taft claimed to them was priceless but told Chelsea was worthless, Logan goes to find Cavanaugh while Kelly and Chelsea go to an exposition in honor of Taft to find the sculpture. Before they can make it far an assassin tries to run them over with a car, saving Kelly the lawyers split ways long enough for Logan to go on his way pursuing the assassin who fights back but fails to kill Logan since he is hit by a taxi, taking this opportunity Logan steals the man's wallet with information he had taken from them through a bug while Kelly comes to his rescue in Logan's car that she barely manages to drive there since she does not know how to drive. They split again with Logan going to the police department to find Cavanaugh and have him bring the police force while Kelly and Chelsea go to Taft's museum where the exposition in his honor is being held. There, the person they thought was Cavanaugh reveals himself as Joe Brock, Logan finds out on his own since the real Cavanaugh is a different man, a cop that wasn't aware that someone had been using his identity. Logan, having realized that Cavanaugh was not who he thought he was, races to the gallery. Brock forces Kelly and Chelsea to break open the hollow sculpture, grabs the painting inside and cuffs Chelsea to a table while struggling with Kelly, eventually leaving her unconscious. He then sets fire to another part of the gallery, forcing an evacuation as a way to leave with the painting and without anyone noticing. Logan arrives and interrupts Brock's escape, Logan and Brock fight, with Brock eventually falling to his death. Logan finds Kelly and Chelsea, grabs the painting and the three escape from the burning gallery, where Chelsea tearfully reveals the signature "To Chelsea" on the back of the painting. After all charges against Chelsea are dropped, Logan's former boss offers to take him back, based on Logan's publicity. Logan, however, decides to stay with Kelly, and the two set up an office together.
=== Tom Logan's speech to the jury ===
Tom Logan: Ladies and gentlemen, Chelsea Deardon didn't kill Victor Taft. The prosecution has suggested a possible motive, but one based on hearsay, conjecture and circumstantial evidence. Evidence that appears to have some substance, but upon closer examination, will prove to have no relevance whatsoever to this case.
(Logan stops and looks at the jury)
Tom Logan: You're not buying this, are you? You're not listening to a word I'm saying. Yeah? Guess what? I don't blame you. After listening to Mr. Blanchard lay out the prosecution's evidence, even I'm convinced my client murdered Victor Taft.
(There are murmurs of surprise in the courtroom.)
Tom Logan: After all, if I had found Victor Taft, dead on the floor, and Chelsea Deardon's fingerprints on the weapon, there isn't much that would convince me she isn't guilty. Look, let's save ourselves a lot of time. Let's be honest. There are better things we could be doing. Who thinks Chelsea Deardon's guilty?
(The jurors start raising their hands. The judge tries to interrupt Logan's speech as Logan points out his hand is also raised, the judge is in the process of calling for a new jury and have Logan arrested while a juror asks if they shouldn't at least give her a fair trial, which prompts Logan to tell the judge that he believes this jury is capable of coming to a fair verdict and conclude his speech)
Tom Logan: So we all think she's guilty. What do we do? That's a dilemma, isn't it? A problem because we've developed a legal concept in this country to protect ourselves - to protect our rights - and it's called presumption of innocence. In simpler words that means that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. That means that whatever assumptions you've already made Chelsea Deardon must be seen in your eyes, believed in your minds, understood in your hearts, to be innocent. 
(Then the defense continues with its case.)

Tags: comedy, murder, romantic

Review:
Ivan Reitman, fresh off the special effects high of "Ghostbusters" takes on romantic comedy that works in fits and starts in "LEGAL EAGLES".Robert Redford, with breezy style, is a NYC D.A. who prosecutes at whim.
written by the guys who wrote "Top Gun" and "Dick Tracy", it's a big, over-packaged film that's both romantic comedy, star-vehicle, and glossy, synthetic who-done-it.
All the Reitman glitz-and-polish is there (with big setpieces scattered throughout), and the movie is easy on the eyes, especially with Redford's easy, casual performance pulling the viewer along and Reitman's deft comedic touch.It was also a troubled production to be sure: Bill Murray was once considered for the Winger role, creating a love triangle that would have found Hannah torn between the Sundance Kid and Nick The Lounge Singer - but alas, Murray opted out.
1986's "LEGAL EAGLES" is probably the textbook case of the all-powerful talent agency known as Creative Artists Agency packaging a Real Motion Picture - what industry wags call a "filmed-deal".
It's competently directed, it makes great use of it's New York City art-world locales, it has a wonderful Elmer Bernstein score, great cinematography by the legendary Laszlo Kovacs and both Winger and Hannah make for delicious eye-candy when pared with Redford.
I have a soft spot for this film - it's great to see Redford on screen seeming to have such a spirited good time after an absence from movie comedy for a number of years - but after all is said and done, "LEGAL EAGLES" is as enjoyable as a Big Mac, albeit one served on a fine china dinner plate.
The only character that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable is Daryl Hannah's Chelsea - the performance artist.
Brian Dennehy is also a little underutilised, but the movie is really a swinger for both Winger and Redford who make their attraction and talent as attorneys believable.I've seen this movie about 5 times over the years and I never get sick of it.
Full of plot holes and expensive excesses, LEGAL EAGLES wouldn't be much without the genuine star power it receives from it's first class cast.Redford is very charming as the assistant D.A. whose becomes involved with defense lawyer Winger (terrific as always) to solve a case that includes arson, stolen paintings, insurance fraud, and even murder.The chemistry between Redford and Winger is very much like Spencer and Tracy and is very enjoyable to watch.
However, Daryl Hannah steals the show as the slightly off center performance artist who is in the middle of the complex case.The film's story will not hold up under much thought and the many shots of buildings on fire will only appeal to pyros.
Come on, you have to admit that this film has a good cast with Debra Winger, Robert Redford, Daryl Hannah, and others in supporting roles like Christine Baranski.
She teams up with Winger's character and later with Redford in more ways than can be said to prove her innocence and get justice served..
Robert Redford is the Jack McCoy of the New York County District Attorney's office and wouldn't you know it, Steven Hill plays the New York County DA here.
He's thinking of promoting Redford as his candidate to succeed him come the next election.But for budding politico Redford, his life gets real complicated when defense attorney Debra Winger and her client Darryl Hannah enter his life.
After that Redford decides to see how the other half lives working with Debra Winger on Hannah's defense.
Kelly, a pixieish defense lawyer who enjoys a love-hate relationship with assistant D.A. Robert Redford.
I also liked the presentation of the art world.No matter what one says about 'Legal Eagles', for me the highlight is easily Robert Redford and a very cute Debra Winger.
Daryl Hannah's role is sketchy but she looks sizzling and I enjoyed her sequences with Redford and the scene where she demonstrates her art.
Legal EaglesThe reason no one dates personal injury lawyers is because they only want to promenade in front of businesses with icy sidewalks.Luckily, the lawyer in this comedy-thriller is sleeping with a client, not a colleague.Assistant D.A. Tom (Robert Redford) decides to help attorney Laura (Debra Winger) defend Chelsea (Daryl Hannah) against charges she stole a painting from an art dealer (Terence Stamp).Adamant her father gave her the painting before his suspicious death - and destruction of his art collection - Chelsea not only convinces Tom but seduces him as well.But when a dubious cop (Brian Dennehy) uncovers the entire collection intact, it threatens Tom's career and his life.Crackling with comedic repartee, a fiery May/December romance and an unpredicted adversary, Legal Eagles may be clichéd but it's not without its charms.Incidentally, if you're going to sleep with anyone in the court system - make it a judge.
As rival attorneys in New York City, Robert Redford and Debra Winger aren't exactly Tracy and Hepburn (he's too wishy-washy and callow, she's too flighty), but they do get to loosen up a bit from prior roles, creating an amusing give-and-take relationship while defending performance artist Daryl Hannah on murder charges.
The flimsy script is as paper thin as the paper is was written on and the entire big budget comedy hangs heavily on the poor thing, incapable of overcoming its many inherent weaknesses.The actors try to do their best with what they have, with Redford being the sole actor with any charm in this charmless bloated thing.
Redford and Winger have zero chemistry, which doesn't help much for romance comedy.
Nothing worked in LEGAL EAGLES, including the ending, which from what I read, is one of several endings the producers filmed and the awful one we saw was decided thanks to the bad taste of test audiences.There's a reason why this big profile movie only has 3 pages of reviews here at IMDb..
Hannahs character and he is moving from chair to chair in the small office finally stating, "I'm a pacer", someone who needs to walk back and forth in order to think clearly.There is an opening scene with a 60's party that has a Warhol feeling" to it that I enjoyed, as I grew up in those times.
connected to the wounded character she plays, and if you wait for the credits, you find she played a big part in authoring the piece.Basically, its the types of movie that is not even in your top ten or twenty, yet you can't help but enjoying it each time you watch it, and you are pleased to see it on the schedule when it is.
Kind of a "non-guilty guilty pleasure", I can't help but enjoy the cast, the full of holes plot and poor continuity, (the faux pas of timing and lighting are mentioned in other reviews.) Even Redford's little girl in the movie is one of those kids you have even and enjoy, but can't recall her name.
there is an early character role played by Christine Baranski who either got some work done or simply learned how to use her assets better later in her career.Just watch with an excepting, open mind and you may not only enjoy it, but it may be a cult favorite at some point.
because it is a nice film, without high ambitions and using old recipes, mixture of crime and romance, with a good performance of Daryll Hannah and same Redford who does a seductive character.
the vulnerability of characters, the action scenes, the thin artistic stain, all as tools for a charming show who reminds classic films and who can be opportunity for rediscover good actors at duty..
**SPOILERS** Even though in the movie "Legal Eagles" Robert Redford as Tom Logan is a top-notch assistant D.A who's a shoo-in to get himself elected as the New York City District Attorney he's also an absent-minded stumble-bum.
Redford or Tom Logan solves that very annoying problem later in the film by smashing in his car's side-widow with a garbage can.Being picked to prosecute the case against young Chelsea Deardon, Daryl Hannah, in her being indited for the attempted robbery of a painting, from a Mr. Forrester's ,John McMartin, apartment.
Chealsea through her defense-attorney Laura Kelly, Debra winger,claimed that the painting by her late dad Sebastian, James Hordle, was left to her by him as a birthday present on the evening that his loft and gallery went up in flames.
There's a genuine chemistry between Robert Redford and Debra Winger in their scenes together without them ever engaging in anything more then discussing the case that their handling.
And the gorgeous and leggy, if a bit spaced-out, Daryl Hannah as Chelsea makes you forget what's going on in the film,like she did Tom,whenever she was on the screen or in his bedroom.
We begin to realize later in the film that someone is trying to pin a number of murders, Taft & Forrester, on Chelsea and then with her taking the rap for them get what he's really after: the painting left to her by her dad which is now estimated to be worth millions but who can that person be?
Some say Debra Winger hated her experience with the film, but if she did, then she's a better actress than she's given credit for, because she showed outstanding chemistry in her scenes with Redford.
Miss It. Robert Redford can make great movies.
So can Debra Winger, Darryl Hannah, Terence Stamp, Brian Dennehy and Ivan Reitman.
The way this script managed to be a thriller, a great movie about lawyers, and a romantic comedy as well.
And nothing can compete with Debra Winger's eyes, especially when she was looking to Redford.
From the complicated storyline of whodunit, to the amusing courtroom drama, reaching to the details of the main 2 characters; I can't get enough of Redford dancing to Gene Kelly's song, or Winger's dialog; for instance the line of "borrowing one of your looks" !History speaking; since the end of the 1970s, the movies that mix action or thrill with elements of romantic comedy, where the hero and the heroine have both an equal screen time, became in fashion.
(Legal Eagles) is without a doubt an icon among these movies, being an excellent competitor to be their best.Director (Ivan Reitman) was never more classical.
With The Boy Who Could Fly, Wise Guys, The Money Pit, now Legal Eagles must be on the top of them as the best 1986's movie I have watched.
Robert Redford and Debra Winger are partners in a law firm who have very different styles in the courtroom.
When it comes to Robert Redford and comedy/romance movies, I get a little soft and like it more than I should.
However, this film makes it hard to even show some, no any kind of pleasure.First off, the movie wasn't funny.
Tom Logan's daughter and mother didn't really play any good parts in the movie, they were just in the way.
TV movie style mystery/comedy/drama with great lead actors who do the best they can with the average script/screenplay given to them.Holywood style and not made to be taken seriously,the main attraction of this movie is merely to see ones favorite stars srutt their stuff here.One of Redford'sfew experiments with the mainstream market.The directing is below average and the over all production is average.Like the lead stars a whole lot?Then this one is worth a look.......
I've seen this movie several times and the more i see the more i love it.Summary: Chelsea Deardon sees her father die on her 8th birthday, a birthday she couldn't forget, as she had been given a painting by her father and now his entire art had burnt to the ground.
Tom Logan is one of the best lawyers around and now with the district attorney leaving his post and asking Tom to fill his place Tom is doing great even though he has small problems of not being able to spend much time with is daughter and not being able to sleep at all leading him to tap dance in through out his entire apartment and then one day Counselor Laura Kelly shows up and asks him for his help with the Chelsea Deardon case...
Tom Logan (Robert Redford) is on the inside track to be the new District Attorney of New York.
Tough talking defense attorney Laura Kelly (Debra Winger) has a new client in mysterious ingenue Chelsea Deardon (Daryl Hannah) who stole a painting from wealthy Robert Forrester (John McMartin).
Police detective Cavanaugh (Brian Dennehy) gives Laura evidence about the old fire which indicates a conspiracy of fraud and possibly worst.Daryl Hannah is pretty good.
A bit of interesting fact: Debra Winger actually left the powerful Creative Artists Agency over this film.
She felt that since all the major cast and crew members were with CAA at the time, they did not hire the best people, they hired only clients who could get the film made!District Attorney Tom Logan (Robert Redford) is set for higher office, at least until he becomes involved with defense lawyer Laura Kelly (Debra Winger) and her unpredictable client, performance artist Chelsea Deardon (Daryl Hannah).
Why, Chelsea Deardon, of course, and it is up to our legal eagles to get her acquitted.Ivan Retiman (Ghostbusters) directs and also wrote (with Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr.) and the supporting cast includes such actors as Brian Dennehy, John McMartin, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Christine Baranski among a host of others.
Redford is a mature Manhattan D.A. who becomes enmeshed in possible theft and murder surrounding Hannah and missing art treasures; Winger is a ditzy attorney who also gets involved.
Hannah is beautiful and Redford and Winger play well off each other.
Not that Redford shouldn't do comedy, but formulaic, feel-good, forgettable semi-serious movies like Legal Eagles aren't something he normally choses to do.
The chemistry between Robert Redford and Debra Winger do a lot to make this film fun.The film is nothing special but none the less, it's good enough for a rental on a rainy day with your main squeeze.Fans of "Ghostbusters" will recognize an exterior or two that was used in both movies.Quite enjoyable....
The good actors were part of the directors problem I think though with making this film.
The rest of the supporting cast Stamp, Deheny, and Hill all played their poorly written parts as well as they could.Not the worst thing out of the eighties, and worth a look at what was a big star vehicle of the time.
We're supposed to find the characters played by Robert Redford and Debra Winger to be amusing, their acrimonious relationship to be hilarious, and the way that they end up being partners despite all of the gibes to be romantically satisfying.The problem is that the movie is too dumb to be taken seriously, and thus too dumb to be funny.Briefly, the story takes place in New York.
The plot involves a fire 20 years ago, when Daryl Hannah was eight, a fire that killed her artist father and purportedly destroyed a large number of his paintings.
I won't go into detail, but Roger Ebert does a good job of listing four different major things that make the plot completely unbelievable.As well as the story being dumb I found some of the scenes that were supposed to be funny to be anything but.For example, Robert Redford is a weekend father to a teenage daughter.
Ha, ha.In another scene Robert Redford and Debra Winger are together and see one of the bad guys.
Debra Winger, who doesn't know how to drive a car, feels it necessary for her to jump into Robert Redford's car and try to follow him.
Ha, ha, ha.This movie could have been a fairly good romantic thriller if they had fixed the plot and not tried to be a comedy.
Touted as a comedy-thriller, this Ivan Reitman film succeeds thanks to its good humour rather than its suspense.The plot from Reitman, Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jnr is solid and has a reasonable twist at the end.
"Legal Eagles", which has precious little courtroom action, never gets too clever though, and that's a good thing.Comedy is always the movie's strong point (and director Reitman's), and it is this that the film relies on.
Important too is the chemistry that Robert Redford and Debra Winger manage to create.
Debra Winger and Daryl Hannah always look great!
A murder case is reopened after many years only to find that the murder was tied to an important art theft.*Special Stars- Robert Redford, Debra Winger, Daryl Hannah,Terance Stamp, Steve Hill, Brian Dennehy, David Clennon.
Debra Winger actually left the powerful CAA agency over this film.
Fun to watch Redford, Hannah, and Winger in this mystery art caper..
Robert Redford is Tom Logan, assistant D.A., and Debra Winger is Laura Kelly, attorney defending Daryl Hannah as Celsea Deardon, accused of stealing a painting.
While the story is fairly interesting, the dynamics between Redford, Hannah, and Winger makes the movie enjoyable.SPOILERS.
"Detective" Cavanaugh (Brian Dennehy) turns out not to be a detective at all, is the crook, and perishes in a big fire at the gallery, Chelsea ends up with her dad's paintings, the charges against her are dismissed, Logan is offered the chance to run for D.A. but turns it down to set up a law practice with Laura, "Logan and Kelly." Redford was 48, Winger 30, Hannah 25 during filming..
The two stars of this movie Redford and Winger give engaging performances as they begin by hating each other but later warming to each others quirks.
The best scenes are the one to ones between the two characters as they slowly fall in love.Aside from these two actors the remainder of the cast seems wooden and superfluous to the plot, but they all add to a fine film.This is a film that is rarely shown on television and usually makes the late night evening slot, but each time I watch it I enjoy it even more.