First Monday in October

Rating:
Summary: Among My Top 5
Review: '"Bet you anything" that Sandra D. Oconner thoroughly appreciated this "right on the mark" movie.

Rating:
Summary: Among My Top 5
Review: From my seat as an amateur movie reviewer, First Monday In October ranks as a dissappointment. I always enjoy Walter Matheau as an actor. He has a special charm to his acting style. However, his humor is pretty stifled here. Also the he vs she plot just seems a bit too tiresome here. Matheau argues for the sake of arguing and that is never too pleasant.

Jill Clayburgh is mis-cast as the first woman Supreme Court Justice. She is way too young for such a role and that hampers the film from the get go.

The pornographic subplot also is addressed in such a boring way. The general plot does not excite me in anyway. I tried viewing this a second time to give it the benefit of the doubt. However, the arguing between Matheau and Clayburgh became more annoying than funny.

Walter Matheau's presence is probably the only reason this movie even earns two stars. His charm shines thru every now and then. Otherwise this movie is a flop.

Rating:
Summary: Ho Hum
Review: From my seat as an amateur movie reviewer, First Monday In October ranks as a dissappointment. I always enjoy Walter Matheau as an actor. He has a special charm to his acting style. However, his humor is pretty stifled here. Also the he vs she plot just seems a bit too tiresome here. Matheau argues for the sake of arguing and that is never too pleasant.

Jill Clayburgh is mis-cast as the first woman Supreme Court Justice. She is way too young for such a role and that hampers the film from the get go.

The pornographic subplot also is addressed in such a boring way. The general plot does not excite me in anyway. I tried viewing this a second time to give it the benefit of the doubt. However, the arguing between Matheau and Clayburgh became more annoying than funny.

Walter Matheau's presence is probably the only reason this movie even earns two stars. His charm shines thru every now and then. Otherwise this movie is a flop.

Rating:
Summary: The makings of a television movie
Review: I had great expectations for this movie, as it included one of the greatest actors of all time, Walter Matthau, as well as, what I thought would be, great subject matter. So sad that the serious subject of in-fighting among the Supreme Court Justices was reduced to a sitcom-like depth.

Neither character seemed to truly represent a mindset (liberal or conservative), but rather, they seemed to argue for no apparent reason. Perhaps some scenes setting up their conflict were deleted?

Regardless, while Matthau is enjoyable to watch, no matter what the script, this was one of his weakest. There are even moments when the viewer has to stop the movie and go..."hey, wait a minute!"...as when the Justices enter the Smithsonian in pouring rain, and come out minutes later to snow, and plowed sidewalks!!!

As for the DVD...it was also extremely weak. It contains no extras (not even a trailer). Some background on the Supreme Court would have been excellent. But then, I guess that would be assuming that this movie was meant to be thought-provoking, which it obviously isn't.

The widescreen transfer is fine. The picture is reasonably sharp, and it isn't hampered by grain. Too bad it was wasted on this movie.

Rating:
Summary: A Treat for Smart People
Review: It's always a pleasure to see a movie that presents both sides of a complex issue (in this case, liberals vs. conservatives) in an even-handed and enjoyable way. The characterization of First Monday is superb, particularly the antagonism between Matthau and Clayburgh. I chuckled numerous times over the dialog. Example: after hearing that the chief justice had flowers sent to the new female Supreme Court justice, Matthau muttered, "How come you don't send ME flowers anymore, CJ"? I hope this movie is released sometime in DVD, in letterbox, along with commentary.

Rating:
Summary: A Treat for Smart People
Review: It's always a pleasure to see a movie that presents both sides of a complex issue (in this case, liberals vs. conservatives) in an even-handed and enjoyable way. The characterization of First Monday is superb, particularly the antagonism between Matthau and Clayburgh. I chuckled numerous times over the dialog. Example: after hearing that the chief justice had flowers sent to the new female Supreme Court justice, Matthau muttered, "How come you don't send ME flowers anymore, CJ"? I hope this movie is released sometime in DVD, in letterbox, along with commentary.

Rating:
Summary: The Lysol Lady of Orange County
Review: Long before Sandra there was a play about the first woman on the Supreme Court. This movie chronicles the potential problems of admitting such a radical act to happen. It involves momentum engins and cabals. Both Walter Matthau and Jill Clayburgh play off each other as they are politically polarized.

Be sure to look for blue birds and cherry blossoms.

Rating:
Summary: The Supreme Court is nothing like this
Review: This is the only movie I know whose subject is the Supreme Court. Maybe after this one nobody wanted to make another one. Silly plot, ridiculous dialog, cliched he vs. she storyline. I think they wanted this to resemble one of the old Tracy/Hepburn films but this is far from that league. It also doesn't in the slightest resemble the actual Supreme Court. Can anyone imagine a justice as young as Jill Clayburgh is in this movie?