Trial and Error

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"The 2nd most outrageous trial of the century"
  • PG-13
  • 1997
  • 1 hr 38 min
  • 5.8  (7,762)

Trial and Error is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Michael Richards, Jeff Daniels, and Charlize Theron. The movie centers around Charlie Tuttle (Jeff Daniels), a successful, big-city lawyer who has never lost a case. Tuttle is set to marry his fiancée, Tiffany (Alexandra Wentworth), in a few days, but before that, he agrees to go to a small, desert town called Paradise Bluff to represent his best friend and colleague, Richard Rjetti (Michael Richards), who has been accused of fraud.

Richard has been posing as a lawyer for the last year and was representing Benny Gibbs, a man accused of running an illegal casino. However, Benny dies unexpectedly, and Richard has to take over the case himself. The trial takes place in Paradise Bluff, and Charlie agrees to help his friend by posing as Richard, who is supposed to attend his sister's wedding in another state.

Once in Paradise Bluff, Charlie discovers that he is out of his element. He struggles to understand the small-town way of life, and things get worse when he meets Billie Tyler (Charlize Theron), a beautiful and feisty local woman. Billie is the prosecutor in the case, and she sees through Charlie's ruse from the start. The two of them develop a love-hate relationship that is bound to cause Charlie problems in the trial.

The trial is where the real comedy of the movie comes from. Charlie is completely out of his depth and makes countless mistakes, which result in him losing the case repeatedly. However, Richard sees this as an opportunity to try different tactics until the truth finally comes out. Along the way, Charlie also manages to endear himself to the quirky locals, including the judge (Jessica Steen) and the court stenographer (J. Kenneth Campbell).

As the trial progresses, Charlie and Billie begin to develop feelings for each other, much to Richard's disdain. He seems more interested in getting out of jail than helping Charlie win the case. Nevertheless, Charlie perseveres, and in the end, justice is served.

The movie is full of hilarious moments, many of which come from Michael Richards' portrayal of Richard. Richards, best known for his role as Kramer in Seinfeld, brings his physical comedy to the role, and there are several scenes that will have viewers laughing out loud. Jeff Daniels is also excellent as Charlie, and he manages to make the character likable despite his flaws. Charlize Theron, in one of her earliest film roles, holds her own against the two comedians and adds a touch of heart to the film.

The movie also has a great supporting cast, including Rip Torn as Charlie's boss, Maxine, and Dale Dye as the town's sheriff. The small-town setting of Paradise Bluff adds to the movie's charm, and the film's overall message of the importance of honesty and integrity is heartwarming.

In conclusion, Trial and Error is a hilarious comedy that will have viewers in stitches. The movie features a talented cast and a witty script that will keep audiences entertained from start to finish. While the plot may be predictable at times, the fun and unique characters make up for it. Overall, Trial and Error is a must-watch for anyone looking for a good laugh.

Trial and Error
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Description
  • Release Date
    1997
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 38 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.8  (7,762)
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