The Crime of Dr. Forbes: A quick, dusty courtroom curiosity

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-school courtroom dramas that don’t waste time on fancy camera angles, sure. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon when you want something that doesn't demand your soul. If you need explosions or a fast pace, stay far away.

There is something about the way The Crime of Dr. Forbes handles the euthanasia debate that feels surprisingly direct. Most movies from this era would have turned this into a massive, weeping spectacle. Instead, it feels more like a nervous conversation in a dimly lit office.

The whole thing hinges on a request for a fatal dose of medicine. It’s a bit grim, honestly. You watch the characters wrestle with it, and it isn't always pretty. The acting feels a bit stiff at times, but that actually works for the courtroom scenes.

I couldn't help but think about the moral weight in The Mill on the Floss while watching these people try to explain themselves to a jury. It’s that same feeling of being trapped by your own choices.

Odd moments I noticed

• The way the light hits the back of the courtroom. It’s so stark you can practically smell the dust.
• The lead actor has this twitch in his left eye whenever the prosecutor starts talking. I don't know if it was intentional or if he just wanted to leave the set.
• The background extras in the trial scenes look like they were told to just sit there and look bored. They did a great job at it.

It’s not a masterpiece, and it doesn't try to be. It just sits there, feeling like a relic of a time when stories about doctors and lawyers were the bread and butter of the local theater.

There is a specific scene where the assistant looks at the empty medicine bottle. It lingers. Maybe a second too long. It makes you feel that sinking weight of what he's actually done.

It’s weirdly grounded. I liked that. No grand speeches about the universe, just a guy stuck in a corner. 🎞️