Crime,Drama
United States of America
True Believer is a 1989 drama film directed by Joseph Ruben. It stars James Woods as Eddie Dodd, a former radical lawyer who now defends drug dealers, and Robert Downey Jr. as Roger Baron, his idealistic protégé. The film follows their unlikely partnership as they take on the case of Shu Kai Kim (Yuji Okumoto), a young Korean man who has been convicted of a murder he claims he did not commit.
The film is partly based on the real-life experiences of attorney and activist Tony Serra, who served as a consultant on the film. It deals with themes of race, justice, and disillusionment, as Eddie confronts his own past as a civil rights crusader and reconciles it with his current role as a defender of the accused.
As Eddie and Roger delve into the case of Shu Kai Kim, they encounter numerous obstacles, including a hostile judge, a corrupt prosecutor, and a police officer with a personal vendetta against their client. They also discover that Shu Kai is not the only victim of a flawed justice system, as they encounter other prisoners who have been wrongly accused and convicted.
As the trial proceeds, Eddie and Roger must fight to overcome these obstacles and prove their client's innocence. Along the way, they confront their own biases and assumptions, as well as their conflicting views on the nature of the law and the role of the attorney. Ultimately, they must make a choice between pursuing justice at all costs or accepting the limitations of the legal system and settling for a plea bargain.
True Believer received mixed reviews upon its release but has since gained a cult following for its gripping performances and thought-provoking themes. The film is notable for its portrayal of the criminal justice system as flawed and imperfect, and for its emphasis on the importance of individual agency and responsibility in the pursuit of justice.
