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6.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. State's Attorney remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school, fast-talking lawyers who are slightly morally bankrupt, you'll probably enjoy State's Attorney. It moves quickly and doesn't waste time with a lot of heavy sentimentality. If you prefer your lead characters to be purely good or if you need a pristine, high-budget production, you might find this one a bit dusty.
John Barrymore is doing a lot of heavy lifting here as Tom Cardigan. He’s got that specific, slightly jagged charisma that makes you want to root for him even when he’s being a total heel. There’s a scene early on where he’s just lounging around, and you can tell he’s already bored with the mob life.
The plot moves like it's trying to catch a train. One minute he's the mouthpiece for Vanny Powers, the next he's running for office. It’s almost too easy how he gets the job, which feels a bit weird, but in a fun, pulpy way.
The dynamic between Cardigan and his mistress, June, is the anchor. It isn't a fairy tale romance. It’s mostly two people who don’t quite know how to be honest with each other. I kept waiting for a big dramatic explosion, but the movie keeps things surprisingly clipped.
It’s not as polished as something like A Man of Honor, but it has a different kind of energy. It feels a bit like a rough draft for a much bigger, more complicated crime movie. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Barrymore’s delivery is so fast at times you almost miss the punchlines. He just barrels through the dialogue. Sometimes I wonder if he was just trying to get the scene over with so he could go home. Whatever, it works for the character.
The ending feels a little bit like a shrug, which is weirdly refreshing. No big speeches about justice. Just a guy dealing with the fallout of being a bit too ambitious. It’s a strange little flick that doesn't overstay its welcome. 🥃
