Based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr, 'A Civil Action', directed neatly by Steven Zaillian, is A Gripping Film, that brings a true-story on celluloid, efficiently. The Writing, at most places, is sharp, and the performances by Travolta and Duvall, are hugely effective.

'A Civil Action' is based on a true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts in the 1970s.

It was a tragic time, for the people who lost their loved ones. And the cinematic version pays respect to them. The Court Scenes are sharply written and executed, while some scenes, especially towards the end, lose pace.

Steven Zaillian's Adpated Screenplay is mostly intense and gripping. His direction, is neat as well. Cinematography by Conrad L. Hall is picture perfect. Editing is fair.

Performance-Wise: Travolta and Duvall, both own the film. Travolta is flawless as the righteous attorney, while Duvall is powerful and menacing. Among other performances, William H. Macy and James Gandolfini stand on their own with note-worthy performances. John Lithgow is perfect, as ever.

On the whole, A Must See Film!

A CIVIL ACTION is another feather in the cap for John Travolta, still enjoying his successful career resurgence following PULP FICTION. This time around he's a crusading injury lawyer taking on the toughest case of his life, against a firm accusing of polluting the local waterways and causing cancer in the local townsfolk. Based on a true story, this is a slow-burning, realistic examination of the American justice system and all of the characters it involves. Travolta is on strong, manic form here, ably supported by a supporting cast that includes William H. Macy, John Lithgow and a stand-out Robert Duvall whose mannerisms are excellent. I particularly liked the downbeat ending complete with an appropriately fitting coda.

Jan Schlichtmann (John Travolta) is a tenacious unsentimental personal injury lawyer. Anne Anderson (Kathleen Quinlan) embarrasses him to take her case seriously on the radio. There has been 12 deaths over 15 years from leukemia and 8 of them are children in the small town of Woburn. It's an environmental case of bad water and nobody thinks it can be a profitable case. Jan is forced to go to Woburn to drop the case himself. There is a tannery on the river and Jan notices that it's owned by the massive Beatrice Foods. He and his firm Kevin Conway (Tony Shalhoub),James Gordon (William H. Macy),and Bill Crowley (Zeljko Ivanek) file the complaint against the deep pocketed conglomerate. Jerome Facher (Robert Duvall) is the esteemed defense lawyer for the bigger company. Skinner (John Lithgow) is the presiding judge. Al Love (James Gandolfini) may have witnessed some dumping at the plant. Pinder (Stephen Fry) investigates the environment for Jan. The case rests on a knife's edge as money problems mount for Jan and his partners.

This is a courtroom drama with some pretty good acting. Travolta does a good job as a smart greedy lawyer. The character is not somebody that is naturally likable although he is the rooting interest. The movie has many great actors doing good supporting roles. The legal drama has the problem that neither side is really concerned about the truth. It's a mystery without a Sherlock. This is mostly a movie of he says, he says. The legal proceedings doesn't have quite that drive. It's a fine court case with 'realistic' cynical lawyers. I'm not necessarily asking for the movie to Hollywood it up. However the movie could start with a young Jan standing up to bullies in defense of somebody weaker. It would show that he had it in him all along, and it would be compelling to see the case reawaken that part of his psyche. I just think the movie sold his cynicism a little too hard. I rather have his cynicism as a hard outer shell for his soft inner real self.