From the Hip
Tags: satire, murder

Plot synopsis:
Fresh out of law school, Robin "Stormy" Weathers (Judd Nelson) cannot stand the tedium of case filing and research. Desperately wanting to "practice law" and go to trial, one morning he intentionally withholds the fact that a trial is scheduled to begin that very afternoon to compel his superiors to let him try the case because he is the only one familiar with the facts of the case. During his meeting with the client (the president of a bank who intentionally struck another banker), the banker declares the "simple assault case" to be a no-winner (explaining that he hits people all the time), but wants the one-day trial to somehow be stretched to three days to run up the other banker's court fees.
Weathers prolongs the case by creating a 1st Amendment constitutional challenge as to the admissibility of the word "asshole". Escalating the case into a media frenzy, the senior partners of the law firm are embarrassed by Weathers' behavior and unconventional methods and try to fire him. The client retaliates on Weathers' behalf threatening to take the bank's business elsewhere. Weathers appears to be crafty and intuitive, but in reality, had conspired with the other attorney (a friend of his) to stage a brilliant legal engagement to make themselves look good. Weathers wins the trial and in doing so attracts a plethora of new clients to the firm which skyrockets him to be a junior partner.
In an act of unfair retaliation, Weathers is assigned to be lead defense counsel in a first-degree murder case involving university professor Douglas Benoit (John Hurt) who is almost certainly guilty of bludgeoning a prostitute to death with the claw of a hammer. Benoit wanted Weathers because he saw him in the previous case. Weathers takes the case and his loud and odd courtroom behavior soon amazes the judge, the spectators and sometimes embarrasses his girlfriend Jo Ann (Elizabeth Perkins). Determined to impress his employers by winning a verdict of not guilty, no matter what, his courtroom antics soon visibly gain even the jury's favor and raise the likelihood of acquittal.
Weathers unsuccessfully tries to get Benoit to accept a plea-bargain to manslaughter charges and soon discovers that Benoit is guilty by a veiled confession where Benoit vividly describes to him the "clarity of mind" it takes for a man to be able to split someone's skull open with the claw of a hammer while the person remains alive. Weathers becomes conflicted between his sense of duty and ethics and his moral obligation to see Benoit pay for his crime. Despite the possibility of being disbarred, he decides to antagonize Benoit into a confession on the stand.
Benoit is found guilty.

Review: A little known, great great movie.
Quite simply I love this movie, not because I have an affinity to any of the actors but simply because it's a very easy way to pass a couple of hours.For movie which attempts to broach one of the legal systems greatest dilemmas (how to defend the guilty) the screenwriters and director somehow manage to deal with the issue seriously yet without allowing the movie to become heavy and dry.You will laugh as there are many genuinely funny scenes and yet you will also appreciate the very real and serious ethical dilemma "stormy" finds himself in.John Hurt does steal the show somewhat with a performance that is nothing short of chilling, but the movie is not just about John and the supporting cast are pretty good as well.
Criticism of Judd Nelson for this role is certainly unwarranted.If you want a nice easy watch, which you can chose to just enjoy or to actually have a proper think about then this is a very good place to start.Do yourself a favour find the movie in a bargain bin, watch it and wonder why you never bothered to see it before.
Smart - Funny - Clever - Entertaining.
Judd Nelson is terrific in this entertaining movie.
From opening to the end you're interested in the story and colorful well written characters.
The movie keeps you involved and the actors never miss a beat.
Nelson and Perkins have chemistry and let's hope they do another movie some day..
No one looks like they're taking the story seriously except John Hurt, whose performance towers above everyone else's (it's too bad he only occupies the screen for 20 or so minutes).
There are the odd moments of idiocy, and the entire effect is like an above average episode of a television law drama.My favorite scene is where Judd Nelson crouches behind a table full of classic literature, tossing out books at the judge.
Sometimes, Nelson doesn't quite know what his character is doing, but he manages to entertain and keep the focus on him.But the first half of the movie is farce and the second half (Hurt's story) is serious drama.
At one point this is signaled by Dan Monahan, who says, "This isn't fun anymore." There are some good gags throughout and the drama could hold its own if the first part of the movie weren't so long.
It could have been shortened considerably to make the John Hurt story longer and more effective.
I enjoyed watching this movie and would recommend it to anyone who likes television law type shows..
80's Hilarious Courtroom Spoof from "LA Law" Writer.
There is no possible way to make a bad movie with Judd Nelson, Elizabeth Perkins, and David Alan Grier in starring roles.
This film was written by David E.
Kelley, the head writer from LA Law.The film spoofs the legal profession, and courtroom drama specifically.
The film should be watched by all law students and firm associates.
The film has a great story and is extremely funny..
Bob Clark writes/directs this comedy courtroom drama with many screwball antics but also well managed serious elements.
However it's a glowingly clever little concept (falling in two parts), which is brought across by Judd Nelson's bouncy performance.
He plays Robin Weathers a young, brash Boston lawyer that goes about things in a very unconventional manner, but these questionable methods gets the results.
So after his first big win, he joins the firm's partnership and then finds himself dumped with a murder case which he has no hope of winning.
The comical interplay is quite heavy with ballistic energy in the early stages as the courtroom is a show-stopping circus of noisy gags (which has great snappy performance from Ray Walston as the judge of the courtroom), but when it gets to the main case that's when those dramatic aspects mingle in (like its stinging if transparent climax), but never leaving the theatrically colorful zinger and humour behind.
John Hurt is amazing as the intensely cocky defendant that Nelson's character must try to acquit.
There's fine support from the likes of Darren McGavin, Dan Monahan, David Alan Grier, Nancy Marchand and undoubtedly lovable Elizabeth Perkins (whose beautiful smile simply lights up a room).A novel crowd-pleaser that's always thinking on its feet..
A perfect example of why we should continue to ask the question: 'Why did Judd Nelson seemingly fade away to unknown obscurity?'.
Once again we are reminded of the waste of a fantastic actor, and question why it was that Judd Nelson faded so quickly into TV limbo-land.
In 'From the Hip' he might as well be playing John Bender, 5 years on from his Saturday morning detention in 'The Breakfast Club'.
An excellent supporting cast keep the pace going, with John Hurt turning in one of his finest performances.
The only problem I had with this movie is that it doesn't know whether it wants to be a comedy or a grizzly murder mystery.
Despite that, it is a shame that this is one of those movies that not a great deal of people even know exists.
I do admit I'm a big Judd Nelson fan (only please don't ever mention 'Blindfold - Acts of Obsession'!) so maybe I'm biased regarding the quality of this film, although I think there is something here that will appeal to everybody, right down to an obligatory romance (though i found it strange that although Robin's girlfriend tells him she loves him on 4 separate occasions, never once does he utter the words back to her).Know what?
This is Bob Clark's cleverist and best film as a writer/director.
The casting is superb (especially Judd Nelson and John Hurt), the story is incredibly clever in it's construction (I defy anyone to figure out the ending prior to the final scene !), the humour is very-well inter-woven into a very inticate, and challenging drama.
The film really does expose the moral/ethical dilemas faced by a defence attourney, when faced with defending a particularly difficult and vicious murder case.
I won't disclose too many details as it would ruin the film, but if you enjoy a thought-provoking yet very funny and hugely entertaining court-room drama.....
then WATCH THIS FILM IMMEDIATELY !!!!!!!!!.
Hurt shows himself as the force that brought this film it's best area of presentation.
'The Stormy Weathers' part is very amusing with his two side kicks, and his love interest is very predictable.
I found this film to be very entertaining.
This film makes a presentation of values that should matter, but seldom do in real life situations..
John Hurt makes this movie....
I still see Judd Nelson in high-school on detention.
It wasnt made long after BREAKFAST CLUB, but this movie is pretty good.
The first half is a comedy, but the second half is a very serious murder trial with a great performance from John Hurt.
The rest of the movie would garner a 6+ for its 'low budget' supporting cast.
what a great film.
FRom the hip it a great comedy because.
starts goods gets going faster the hummer is so funny at the first half.
starts as a comedy then goes into a drama.
tries to go into a drama then goes back to comedy in the second half .
I think it should have stayed with the comedy it was the best part .
JUDD nelson did a great job on this movie he really got his teeth into it i really thought he was a lawyer.so did the rest of the cast.
i recommend this movie a MUST SEE..
All Judd Nelson all the time.
FROM THE HIP is the story of a young defense lawyer (Nelson) trying his first case, a simple assault.
He grandstands, wins the case, makes headlines and is immediately handed a capital murder case to defend.
How he handles that case is what the movie is about.
He is defending John Hurt in the vicious slayings of two people whose bodies have never been found.
Nelson is in way over his head, and knows it.
In real life, this wouldn't matter, but since this is a movie, he comes down with a bad case of conscience.
Elizabeth Perkins is aboard as Nelson's loyal girlfriend and several veteran actors including Darren McGavin, Ray Walston and Nancy Marchand show up to further the story.
But HIP is really all about Judd Nelson's brash and rash young lawyer, which allows one to overlook some obvious plot holes and bizarre courtroom antics.
At times, Nelson may remind you of Robert Downey Jr..
Funny film that tackles a relevant legal issue.
What should an attorney do when defending a client they know is guilty?
From the hip deals with this legal dilemma in a very amusing format.
Judd Nelson is hilarious as an irreverent attorney who gets results.
I thought this film was hilarious.
Why people, thought this was a "mongrel of a film", makes me wonder, again, if they were actually awake when reviewing this film.
I give this film three out of four stars..
I found this movie to be suspenseful and comedic at the same time.
Definitely a movie I would recommend and would also watch multiple times, which is unusual for a suspense movie.
But the manipulation in the movie is performed so well that you can watch it time and time again..
Robin "Stormy" Weathers is desperate to rise up the ladder at the law firm he is employed by-sooner rather than later.
But just as he thinks he has finally made it, the partners saddle him with a no-win trial...Directed by Bob Clark and starring Judd Nelson (Weathers), Elizabeth Perkins, John Hurt and Darren McGavin, From The Hip is a quintessentially 1980s picture.
Oozing a yuppie law firm vibe and with Brat Packer Nelson leading the way, it's no great shock to proclaim it as such really.
It's also decidedly funny, that is until John Hurt arrives as a pompous suspected murderer and not only steals the film, but also swerves it to a darker place.
Maybe Hurt's preening, borderline psychotic peacock performance only serves to bring to light the deficiencies of the other cast members?
What I do know is that my recent revisit to the film still brought many a chuckle as "Stormy" pulls his bag of tricks in the court room, and yes I was still on the edge of my seat during the gripping finale as Hurt's Douglas Benoit is called to the witness box.Legal satire and conundrums just work for me I guess...
Overall not a bad movie if you can overlook the ridiculous way the judicial system is portrayed.
Everything that happens in this movie pertaining to the law is sensationalized and cliché, but if you can ignore that and just appreciate it for the story about a man who is caught up in his personal sense of right and wrong, then it's a funny and charming film.
This story centers around a young attorney named Robin "Stormy" Weathers who manages to make partner in his law firm after his very first case.
He is immediately handed a high profile capital murder trial and is not sure how to handle it.
Elizabeth Perkins is well cast as Robin Weathers' sweet and perpetually understanding girlfriend.
John Hurt is downright diabolical in his scenes as the defendant on trial for capital murder.
And Judd Nelson, as Weathers, is endearing as an attorney forced to defend a man he's not sure is innocent.
A courtroom comedy dram that's totally hip.
From the Hip was a film I loved the first time I saw it.
Judd Nelson made the film, with his energetic and captivating, non Razzie performance as an unruly and unethical public defendant, who we just love, cause he, well...
shoots from The Hip. In reality it would so great to have lawyers like him, but there is no one in the world, quite like Robin Stormy Weathers.
After setting up his own case, with the help of a friend, playing his warring opposition, he wins it, where he's then thrown his first big one, a defense involving a professor (Hurt) who's been accused of killing a woman in a much brutal manner, where he says he's been set up, where at the end, Judd does what no defendant should do, or should he?
Featuring a very vibrator scene, and a few Porky's stars (I forgot to mention this is a Bob Clark movie) From The Hip is such an engaging comedy, where Clark really impressed me with this.
He's brought to the screen a really colorful courtroom drama comedy, with an truly explosive finale, where Nelson's really rides Hurt, into an all out confession.
If you loved My Cousin Vinny, you'll definite love this one, the magic in Nelson's lovable performance.
An underrated movie, that warrants must see viewing..
This movie was so funny.
"From The Hip" is a hilarious movie.
Judd Nelson was great as the irreverent lawyer Robin "Stormy" Weathers.
He had some great lines and almost every scene he was in was funny.
Robin's girlfriend JoAnn (played by Elizabeth Perkins) was sweet and funny.
William Hurt's character was creepy.
His scenes in this movie were the only non-humorous scenes.
Robin was a good lawyer but very mischeivous.
Judd Nelson was great in this movie (as always) and I think his performance was one of the best in "From The Hip".
Well, I don't have much more to say about this film except I loved it and I'm so glad I own it now.
From the Hip. Unmemorable courtroom comedy with Nelson playing an unorthodox young lawyer whose anything-goes approach to criminal defense turns him into an overnight sensation.
Not funny to begin with, but gets quite serious in the conclusion with client Hurt (doing his best "wacko") being unmasked.
A great mix of drama and humor, it's fun while still maintaining the suspense of a psychological drama.
Judd Nelson gives a great performance as Stormy Weathers (love his name!) and John Hurt is spooky as the crazed Benoit.
The question of ethics for attorneys is a thought-provoking commentary on our justice system, and the hearing on the swear word is such great satire!
Truly an underrated film .
Engaging comedy/drama with a courtroom background.
Has a sharp shift in tone between the first half and the second which makes sense in the course of the story but it is a quite a detour for the viewer to adjust to.Judd Nelson has a certain charm but is not the most charismatic leading man but he is surrounded by quality performers who contribute excellent performances.
Elizabeth Perkins is fetching as Nelson's fiancée.
Nancy Marchand the wry head of Stormy Weathers law firm providing a calm center when she's on screen.
Darren McGavin and Alan Arbus each have a chance to sprinkle some funny bits to their scenes and Edward Winter has a high old time in a small role as a hot tempered bank president.
First is Ray Walston as the judge in the initial trial whose flummoxed reactions are priceless and particularly John Hurt, exquisite as a seemingly benign college professor whose facade masks the fact that he's a homicidal maniac stealing every one of his scenes.Not a great movie but a good one with a lively pace, just be prepared for that sudden change in the feeling of the film..
The first half of this courtroom story is farcical and much of it is pretty thin, and what's not thin is forced.
An ambitious young lawyer (Judd Nelson) at a Boston firm does everything possible to attract attention, turning his first minor case into a comic First Amendment blockbuster, pivoting on the question of whether the word "A**hole" should be stricken from the record.
Nelson has a couple of friends on his side and a beautiful girl friend (Elizabeth Perkins) who is there to provide support and moral guidance.He needs the moral guidance.
The client in this case is the arrogant self-proclaimed professor, John Hurt, who may or may not have killed his lover and her boyfriend.
Nelson becomes convinced that his client actually did murder the girl, but he can't resign from the case or get Hurt to confess.Two people emerge from this hodge podge with their dignities thoroughly intact -- John Hurt as the likely killer and Nancy Marchand as the head of the law firm that employs and, perforce, promotes Nelson to partner.The dramatic second half is more engaging than the constant snickering and laughter of the first half.
Both of Nelson's parents were attorneys and he generously pointed out errors.
When the milieu was too noisy, Nelson was fond of shouting, "Odor in the court!" Bob Clark was probably one of the least pretentious directors around.
Almost forgotten today, but did you know that Judd Nelson was a big movie star in the 80's?
Judd doesn't really embarrass himself but if the story had been more about his character and not the grisly murder case he is handed, it would have been a little more interesting.
The murder trial is very well staged but so is an episode of The Practice or Boston Legal.
It's funny how he almost gets it all in 10 seconds.
That's when the story turns.
Just because the story takes a more serious tone doesn't make it better, though.
Nelson's performance gets weaker the more serious the story gets.
John Hurt's defendant is well played but you somehow know from your gut that he can't be innocent.
After all, it is John Hurt.The court proceedings are mostly of the dramatic license variety and has very little to do with actual court proceedings.
We know the defendant is guilty and there isn't very much surprise in the outcome.Too bad.
This could have been a good movie, not a great one, but good.
What if the John Hurt character was guilty but was acquitted?