Watch Judges

Judges, a 2015 American indie drama directed by David Wexler, unravels as a compelling story that draws its inspirations from real events that occurred in the life of the filmmaker. The movie revolves around a young girl who takes on the judiciary system of her city and struggles to seek justice for herself and her father. Jessica Anne Bogart plays the role of Sarah Lincoln, a determined and strong-willed 16-year-old girl, who has been plagued with the traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted by her father's employer, Judge James Lenton, played by Ron Elliott. When Sarah's father confronts the Judge, he is arrested and thrown into jail, leaving her family in a state of financial crisis and emotional turmoil. Despite Lenton's notorious reputation for being a corrupt and powerful judge, Sarah takes it upon herself to fight for her father's release who is innocent.

As Sarah wages her battle, she discovers that things are far more complicated than she had initially imagined. She faces countless obstacles such as prejudice from the police and the legal system itself. She faces roadblocks as various people try to convince her to give up her fight. Through it all, Sarah refuses to give up despite the challenges. She is aided by Bill Christopher, played by Joseph S. DeBeasi, an ex-cop turned attorney who recognizes Sarah's passion and begins working on her behalf.

While the premise of the movie revolves around a serious issue, the story progresses at a steady pace and tugs at the audience's emotional strings with its subtle nuances and evocative portrayal of the characters. The direction is remarkable, bringing out the emotional essence of the story while still maintaining a sense of neutrality without resorting to any melodrama or undue emotional manipulation of the audience.

The beautiful cinematography that sets the ambience and tone for the movie's dramatic moments also deserves high praise. The backdrop of a stark, sterile courthouse that juxtaposes against the gritty, dingy city streets that offer clues symbolic of the intricacies of life tends to leave an indelible impression.

Jessica Anne Bogart's portrayal of Sarah is inspiring, and she hits the right chords of wit, anger, and passion throughout the film. Her character's tenacity and single-mindedness come across as a ray of hope in a world that is often all too often filled with monotony, disappointments, and disillusions.

Joseph S. DeBeasi's character is more grounded but supportive of Sarah's drive to seek justice. He plays the role of Sarah's mentor and advisor, trying to keep the young teenager's impulse in check while devising a plan to pursue her case.

Ron Elliott's portrayal of Judge Lenton is eerie, sending a chill down the audience's spine with his subtle but powerful acting. His character comes across as conniving and manipulative, cleverly blending his corruptive tactics with his authoritative position to curtail Sarah's fight.

The film's story is exemplary in portraying the vast and complex power dynamics of society, showcasing a realistic account of the issues faced by those who try to expose corruption within the legal system. Even though the movie is not a legal procedural but rather a dramatic recreation of real-life experiences that showcase the struggles and failures of actual people who have fought against injustice, it still manages to captivate and leave a lasting impression.

Overall, Judges is a heart-wrenching yet thought-provoking movie that inspires its viewers to fight for what is right, despite the obstacles that may arise. It is a story of hope and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. It is an essential piece of cinema that deserves to be seen and remembered. It is a film that may not be for everyone, but its profoundness will keep those who choose to watch it hooked till the end.

Judges is a 2015 science fiction movie with a runtime of 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.