Review Roundup: Robert Downey Jr. Stars in THE JUDGE

Robert Downey Jr. leads an all-star cast in the new drama THE JUDGE, which opens today, October 10th! The film was directed by David Dobkin ('Wedding Crashers'), and is the first film to be produced by Team Downey, Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan's production company.

THE JUDGE follows successful lawyer named Hank Palmer (Downey Jr.), who returns to his home in Indiana to attend his mother's funeral. However, he is shocked to learn that police are looking to his own father as a prime suspect in his mother's murder. Though his relationship with his father is rocky, Hank must defend his father in court and work to clear his name.

Robert Downey Jr. is accompanied by Robert Duvall as his father, alongside Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard, and Billy Bob Thornton.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

A.O. Scott, The New York Times: Various secrets come dribbling out...They add up to a sprawl of narrative that is as unconvincing as the suspiciously sprawl-free, nostalgia-tinged town where it all takes place.

Justin Chang, Variety: .. "The Judge" pivots on a simple yet inspired stroke of casting, pitting Duvall's iconic gravitas against Downey's razor-sharp wit, and then supplying no shortage of opportunities for both men to chew the scenery.

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: Even in the film's most sentimental, maudlin and conveniently extreme moments, Duvall dominates "The Judge," much like his character dominates his own courtroom: through sheer force of presence, integrity and implacable authority.

Phillip David Morton, The Huffington Post: The Judge joins a powerful body of work of American drama that is harrowing and healing, real and Olympian at the same time.

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Speaking of committed: Duvall, at age 83, nearly steals the show. Always the most inscrutable of the great '70s actors, Duvall uses his great, unassuming American face to convey pride, confusion, pain and compassion - sometimes all at once.

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Gate: Sometimes sentimental is simply another word for predictable. "The Judge," despite many virtues, follows a pattern.

Scott Mendelson, Forbes: It is a star vehicle for Mr. Downey Jr., yet it does not show off its star at its best. Moreover, the film is crippled, from the first scene to the last, by an extra coat of on-the-nose emotional and narrative exposition that both stretches out the film beyond its natural limits and renders much of the would-be emotional pay-offs significantly less effective as a result.

Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: The Judge is well served by intense performances from stars Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall, but is undercut by obvious note-hitting in the writing and a deliberate pace that drags things out about 20 minutes past their due date.

Catherine Shoard, The Guardian: After two hours of switchblade swerves between sweet and sour, larks and drama, you start feeling queasy.

Kevin Jagernauth, Indie Wire: "The Judge" is certainly a cinematic misdemeanor, a movie that wants to wear the robes and bang the gavel, but barely earns the right to take the stand.

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