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6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. For the Defense remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, For the Defense from way back in 1930. Is it worth digging up today? Absolutely, if you're into that pre-Code zing and the sheer, effortless charisma of William Powell. If you need explosions or a plot that makes perfect sense every second, you'll probably find it a bit slow and, well, *old*. For classic film buffs, though, this one's a neat little package. 🕵️♂️
This movie throws you right into it. William Powell plays William Foster, a lawyer who’s clearly too smart for his own good. He’s got that easy charm, but you know he’s cutting corners. You just know it. Kay Francis, as Irene Manners, is just as compelling, though her character makes some truly baffling choices.
The whole setup with Irene and her two beaus feels a little like a whirlwind. She's out driving with one guy, accidentally kills someone, and the other guy, Jack, takes the rap. This all happens so fast, you barely catch your breath. It’s almost like they were racing against the clock to get the plot rolling.
Foster, naturally, has to defend Jack. This puts him in a real bind, protecting Irene while trying to get an innocent man off. Powell just *owns* these kinds of roles. He plays it so cool, you almost forget how messed up the situation is. His expressions, especially that slight knowing smirk, tell you everything without him saying much at all. That’s pure star power.
The courtroom scenes are where the film really shines. It’s not about grand speeches so much as quick, sharp exchanges. The back and forth between the lawyers, the way they try to trip each other up. It feels surprisingly modern in its speed, even if the legal tactics are a bit… creative. You can almost feel the tension in the room.
One small thing I noticed: the camera work in some of the office scenes. It often stays pretty close, almost intimate, which makes Foster’s little manipulations feel more personal. It's not flashy, but it works.
There's a moment when Foster tries to subtly influence a witness. It's all in the eyes, the way he just *looks* at them. No big gestures, just quiet pressure. That kind of understated performance is so good. 👌
Now, the pacing. For a film from 1930, it moves! It's less than 70 minutes, and they pack a lot in. Sometimes, maybe a bit too much. The emotional beats, especially Irene's guilt, don't always get the space they need. It's like, okay, we get it, you feel bad, now let's move on to the next plot point!
You can see the seeds of future legal dramas here, but Forbidden from a couple years later, also with Kay Francis, maybe handles the moral complexity a little more deeply. This one's more about the immediate thrill of the ride.
The ending, without giving anything away, is a classic pre-Code move. It’s not neat and tidy. It leaves you thinking about what justice really means, and if Foster truly got away with it all. They weren't afraid to be a little ambiguous back then.
Overall, For the Defense is a fun, quick watch. It’s a solid example of what early talkies could do when they had sharp writing and stellar actors like William Powell and Kay Francis. Don't go in expecting deep character studies, but do expect a snappy story and some truly excellent performances that hold up even today. It’s a bit of a forgotten gem, but one that absolutely deserves another look. ✨
IMDb 6.1
1929
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