Movie Review Friday -- A Civil Action

Escape to the movies with one of our Movie Friday selections. Each week we review a film with environmentally or socially-responsible themes that’s currently in theaters or available on DVD.

Seen a good eco-flick lately? Send us a review of 100 words or less and look for your review in the next Movie Friday!

 A Civil Action (1998)
Available on DVD

Discarding bell bottoms and disco shirt for a lawyerly and suit and tie, John Travolta faces off against Robert Duvall in Steven Zaillian’s courtroom drama, A Civil Action. Based on Jonathan Harr’s non-fiction account of a small town’s struggle for environmental justice, the film follows Woburn, Massachusetts residents as they take on a local employer suspected of dumping toxic chemicals and causing several cases of juvenile leukemia.

Travolta plays a personal injury lawyer at first motivated by a thirst for money and fame. Slowly, he finds himself fighting for something more: the truth. As the toxic waters churn, tragedy unfolds and the case becomes personal. A Civil Action highlights the challenge of bringing large corporations to justice--and the hubris of humankind. 

-- Review by Hannah Buoye

Read about more movies with environmental themes:
Quantum of Solace
The Real Dirt on Farmer John
Koyaanisqatsi
Surfwise
The Yes Men