The Accusing Finger: Irony is a cold dish

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s courtroom dramas that don't overstay their welcome, you'll probably dig The Accusing Finger. It’s snappy, slightly mean-spirited, and moves like it’s trying to catch a train. If you need big spectacle or modern pacing, though, stay away. This is pure, black-and-white cynicism.

The whole thing hinges on a guy who makes his living destroying lives with a smile. It’s pretty satisfying to watch him realize the game is rigged when he’s the one holding the losing hand. He spent all that time polishing his closing arguments, and now nobody cares about his logic.

Harry Carey is great here. He plays that specific type of confident guy who thinks he’s the smartest person in any room. Watching that confidence slowly leak out of him during the second half is worth the price of admission.

There’s a weird, claustrophobic energy in the scenes where he’s trying to convince his old colleagues that he’s innocent. You can tell they want to believe him, but they also remember every time he cut corners to win a case. It’s a nice bit of character work that doesn't need to be shouted from the rooftops.

Small details that stuck

• The way the courtroom lighting makes everyone look a little bit like a ghost.
• A background extra in the jury box who looks like he’s trying his hardest not to fall asleep during a long testimony.
• The sound of the gavel feels way louder than it probably should be. It’s like a hammer hitting your skull every time.
• The wardrobe changes. Everyone is dressed so sharp, even when they’re miserable.

It reminds me a bit of the tension in A Shriek in the Night, where the atmosphere does more work than the dialogue. Not that the dialogue is bad! It’s just blunt.

Some of the supporting cast feels a bit like they wandered in from a different movie, especially the guys playing the cops. They just sort of stand there, looking tough, waiting for their cue to say 'We have the evidence, counselor.' It’s a little goofy, honestly. But it works in that 'this was made in a week' kind of way.

I caught myself wondering why they didn't just lean harder into the horror of the situation. It could have been a real nightmare. Instead, it settles for being a solid, punchy drama. Sometimes that’s enough.

Don't expect some grand statement on the human condition. It’s just a story about a guy who finally finds out what happens when the finger points back at him. 🕵️‍♂️