the 1980s - the 1990s - film reviews - theater reviews
| Christian
Science Monitor
26 August 1994 |
THE
ADVOCATE - In medieval France, when animals were sometimes
put on trial for wrongdoing, a lawyer finds himself defending an unusual client in a proceeding that's by turns harrowing, exasperating, and ridiculous. The movie has lots of 15th-century atmosphere, fun to observe even when it's not very convincing, and the story is offbeat if not exactly compelling. Colin Firth and Donald Pleasence give solid performances, and Nicol Williamson is superb in a too-small role. Written and directed by Leslie Megahey, who uses his feature-film debut to trot out more graphic sexuality than his earlier radio and television work allowed. (Rated R) |