A Civil Action
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A Civil Action
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Civil Action is a moral courtroom drama based on a historic legal case in which contaminated water was said to be causing leukemia in some young families in Massachusetts. The film stars John Travolta as personal injury lawyer Jan Schlichtmann, who himself goes on a moral journey as he learns to put the needs of his clients ahead of any personal financial incentives. There are emotional scenes, especially when families talk about losing children to cancer. Swearing is rare but does include "f--k" and "s--t." There is also occasional smoking and although there is some drinking, no drunkenness is depicted. The film is an adaptation of a 1995 non-fiction book of the same name and also stars Robert Duvall, William H. Macy, James Gandolfini, John Lithgow, Kathleen Quinlan, and Stephen Fry.
What's the Story?
In A CIVIL ACTION, a number of leukemia-related deaths are linked to the contamination of a local water supply in Massachusetts. Some of the grieving families decide to call on slick personal injury lawyer Jan Schlichtmann (John Travolta) to seek justice. What seems like an unprofitable case (just the kind Schlichtmann tries to avoid), soon becomes an expensive investigation into responsibility. Alongside home truths on the hard nose of the law, Schlichtmann finds himself on a personal, moral journey to what justice, and success, really mean.
Is It Any Good?
Brilliantly understated performances, flashes of wit and a heartbreaking true story aren't quite enough to make this movie memorable. A Civil Action works hard to give us some imaginative storytelling against a morality tale backdrop, not to mention some delicate character-building in the absence of any character backstories. Yet it aches for a little more care in its conclusion, which falls a little flat.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Civil Action portrayed the justice system. Did it seem like a realistic portrayal? Was it fair? Why are apologies and accountability important to people and communities?
How did the values of Jan Schlichtmann shift during the movie? What lessons did he learn? How did he show integrity, compassion, and empathy?
The film is based on a real-life case. What other movies have you seen that are based on true events?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 25, 1998
- Cast: John Travolta, Robert Duvall, James Gandolfini
- Director: Steven Zaillian
- Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Activism, Book Characters, History
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy, Integrity
- Run time: 115 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: some strong language
- Last updated: December 13, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Dark Waters
Essential, harrowing true story of environmental crime.
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Erin Brockovich
Legal drama based on a true story has lots of cursing.
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The Insider
Fascinating whistleblower story for older teens.
For kids who love courtroom dramas
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