When lawyer Charlie is sent to a small Nevada town to file a continuance request for a client, his actor friend Richard turns up to throw a surprise bachelor party celebrating his upcoming marriage to the boss's daughter. When Charlie is too hung-over to make it to court for the hearing, Richard fills in, inadvertently committing felony fraud, and Charlie is left with no choice but to coach the clueless Richard through the whole trial.
Acting
Richards at peak physical-comedy chaos; Theron surprisingly game.
Writing
Farce construction so tight it nearly survives its own absurdity.
Director
Jonathan Lynn
Michael Richards
Richard Rietti
Jeff Daniels
Charles Tuttle
Charlize Theron
Billie Tyler
Jessica Steen
Elizabeth
Austin Pendleton
Judge Paul Z. Graff
Rip Torn
Benny Gibbs
Ali Wentworth
Tiffany
Jennifer Coolidge
Jacqueline
Lawrence Pressman
Whitfield
Dale Dye
Dr. Stone
Max Casella
Dr. Brown
McNally Sagal
Charles' Assistant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Michael Richards' first major post-Seinfeld film; the studio reportedly fought his casting, fearing audiences couldn't separate him from Kramer.
Released the same year as Liar Liar—1997 was apparently Hollywood's 'lawyers having bad professional days' era.
US
