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Legal Eagles (1986)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 8/25

LegalEagles
8/25: Legal Eagles initially didn't grab my attention, but it got better over time, thanks to Robert Redford.

It's so awkwardly put together, yet there are parts that work. I won't call it a truly funny movie if that's what Ivan Reitman was aiming at. I think he tried to emulate Howard Hawks in order to reach for the Cary Grant-Katharine Hepburn effect. Therefore, it can't be the editing or the screenplay that's the issue.

Debra Winger seems out of place at first, but she finally gets it together by latching on to Robert Redford. That's when the film started to get into the groove during the second half. Let's be real: both aren't certified comedians. Sure, they have charm and can be occasionally funny, but it has to be subtle on the intellectual level.

Daryl Hannah isn't bad. Her part called for a strange artist, and she fulfilled the demand properly. For a long while, I thought Brian Dennehy was being underutilized, but when the revelation came, I was like, "Oh, okay. Fair enough." Terence Stamp can use more screen time to develop his character.

Back to Robert Redford, I'm impressed with his performance. He worked hard to keep Legal Eagles together. There were times the film almost got away from everybody, but Robert Redford kept bringing it back into the fold by stretching his range more. It's these small things he did, and they've made a big difference. At the same time, Jennie Dundas deserves credit for creating rapport with him as his daughter.

All in all, I don't mind seeing Legal Eagles again, but the true verdict is: Ivan Reitman was the wrong guy to direct it.