As violence escalates in Los Angeles and heinous murders are committed, Steven Hardin, a young judge of the California Supreme Court, must struggle with his tortured conscience and growing despair as he watches helplessly as the ruthless criminals brought before his court go free because clever lawyers find obscure loopholes in the law.
Acting
Hal Holbrook's creepy avuncular menace.
Direction
Hyams makes LA feel like a pressure cooker.
Writing
The rare thriller that punishes the 'solution.'
Director
Peter Hyams
Michael Douglas
Steven Hardin
Hal Holbrook
Benjamin Caulfield
Yaphet Kotto
Detective Harry Lowes
Sharon Gless
Emily Hardin
James B. Sikking
Dr. Harold Lewin
Joe Regalbuto
Arthur Cooms
Don Calfa
Lawrence Monk
John DiSanti
Detective James Wickman
DeWayne Jessie
Stanley Flowers
Jack Kehoe
Hingle
Larry Hankin
Detective Kenneth Wiggan
Dick Anthony Williams
Detective Paul Mackey
Margie Impert
Louise Rachmil
Dana Gladstone
Martin Hyatt
David Proval
Officer Nelson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hyams shot this back-to-back with '2010'—same paranoid visual palette, wildly different genres.
Released at peak 'tough on crime' Reaganism, it's a fascinating liberal anxiety film disguised as a thriller.
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