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“12 Angry Men” is a very special film for me. I’ve always had fond memories ever since I watched it in my high school law class, and even if my reverence of it fluctuates with each rewatch, I still retain that fondness throughout. This rewatch was one where I hold it in really high regard. To me, this movie makes it clear that you don’t need a large, epic scope to make a classic. All you need is an intriguing premise (no matter how simplistic) that’s backed by a strong script, dedicated actors, and a passionate director and crew. With “12 Angry Men”, Sydney Lumet was confident enough to take on this project as his feature film debut, and with an equally passionate crew let 12 angry actors bring Reginald Rose’s teleplay to life on the big screen. Now as for those actors, each of them brings these characters to life in such raw and human ways that it’s easy to think you’re watching real people (some who are noble, others detestable, with the rest somewhere in between) in a jury deliberation. It’s truly powerful stuff done with so little that needs to be commended. Even if you don’t think it’s for you, I’d still recommend giving it a shot. I haven’t solidified a definitive list of my favorite films yet (at least ones that I’m confident on) but I can assure that “12 Angry Men” has earned its place.
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12 Angry Men is the quintessential bottle movie and a dream start for Sidney Lumet, a filmmaker who excels in courtroom drama. It's weaved with rich drama and racial subtext coupled with great acting performances by Henry J Cobb and Henry Fonda elevate this bottle courtroom drama into something memorable.
Its plot is simple but its storytelling is a stellar piece of work feeling like a theatrical play being a teleplay by Sidney Lumet. Its courtroom drama is ripe for exploring its themes of racism, human callousness, pride bigotry, and social power, and its influence with archetypal storytelling with its characters representing archetypes. It's a compelling drama with great execution and stellar performances that make the audience invest in this world.
12 Angry Men is notable for its innovation in filmmaking with its usage of one-take shots, great camera blocking, smash cuts, and intense close-ups as the tension ratchet up. It conveys a sense of claustrophobia and conflict for our characters providing tension with an immaculate set design. This sets the film's tone and its visual language providing visual storytelling. Its higher stakes feel earned and its payoff feels organic despite being simplified.
12 Angry Men's simplicity is its strength and its biggest virtue providing effectiveness and fusing new life to the courtroom drama genre in the age of Golden Hollywood making it a cultural phenomenon.
By @s.sohan2005
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