User reviews

Greetings again from the darkness. Very interesting, but rather odd documentary from Eric Chaikin ("Word Wars") was screened at the AFI Dallas Film Festival. I say odd because there is no obvious agenda other than providing an expose on the stress caused by the preparation for the bar exam. The film could easily serve as a character study in how varying personalities react to stress and how the legal profession views itself.

The film follows the paths of six very different individuals as they spend the 10 weeks prior to the exam preparing for the make-or-break moment. These individuals range from recent law school grads to a really nice guy on his third attempt to an artsy, near hysterical young lady to a guilt-ridden mom to a never-say-die older gentleman on his 41st attempt. As a viewer, we get enough of each of them to feel their pain and understand how they deal with the pressure. Silently, we find ourselves pulling for some ... and the others, not so much.

The brilliance of the film stems from the insightful meanderings of those practicing in the field of law and those on the periphery. Most effective are the legendary Alan Dershowitz, Robert Shapiro and Texans Joe Jamail and Mark Lanier. Others offering commentary include Nancy Grace, John Stossel, Catherine Crier and Scott Turow. Vernon Jordan also recalls his bar exam and how racism played a role.

The film needs to be viewed by all law students as both a "scared straight" warning on exam preparation and valuable insight into the profession of law. In particular watch Mark Lanier's eyes as he makes his point about how he connects to a jury. It is a frightening moment that displays why he is one of the most powerful trial attorneys working today.

As an aspiring, soon-to-be law school graduate, the film was a real wake-up call for me. It was also informative about the legal field in general, but also by providing multiple study scenarios, only some of which appeared to effectively lead the persons following such into the ranks of new and aspiring lawyers. A must-see for any 3L or a 4L, or any other "L" about to graduate and begin that long arduous path to possible oblivion or possibly that likely unattainable ivory tower in the sky, known as "I PASSED THE BAR!!!!" I saw the movie at my law school here in Atlanta, GA, with some of my classmates, and while we laughed at parts of it, and wondered in amazement at some of the things that were said, experiences and statements of lawyers and those studying for the Bar really hit home, because as law students ourselves, my friends and I know exactly what those experiences are like.

This was a really witty, entertaining, well constructed Doc about 6 lawyers unraveling as they trudge through the notoriously difficult bar exam. I am not a lawyer and have never ever wanted to be one (nor do i think i am even remotely smart enough to get through law school ) but I was lucky enough to be in Austin on business this week and got to see this movie. I have to say, it was really hysterical. The crowd seemed to immensely enjoy it and it got tons of laughs. So i guess even if you're not a lawyer or familiar with legal "jargon" we've all had the desire to sue (or have been sued) and there's definitely something in this movie that everyone can relate to. Also, one of the characters in the film, Megan, was there at the premiere. She is just as charming and adorable in person as she is in the movie. great job!