VERDICT

The portentousness is often a disservice to the actors, embedded in dead air with roles too feebly written to get the ventilation going.

It's Newman's performance itself that really makes this film work and helps it truly get close to Lumet's own '12 Angry Men'.

It is difficult to remember a courtroom drama of such efficiency as The Verdict, nor better performances from Newman.

Paul Newman delivers a note-perfect performance.