L'affaire Chelsea Deardon

I really do love Legal Eagles, it's a film that hearkens back to the stuff that William Powell and Myrna Loy did at MGM. I can see a younger Tracy and Hepburn in this film as well.

Robert Redford is the Jack McCoy of the New York County District Attorney's office and wouldn't you know it, Steven Hill plays the New York County DA here. Hill's thinking of hanging it up, but obviously as fans of Law and Order know, he eventually didn't. He's thinking of promoting Redford as his candidate to succeed him come the next election.

But for budding politico Redford, his life gets real complicated when defense attorney Debra Winger and her client Darryl Hannah enter his life. Hannah is the daughter of a famed artist who was killed in a loft fire where she barely escaped from when she was about 6. Since then she's become something of a wild child.

Hannah steals a picture from art dealer Terrence Stamp that she says is really hers. That starts a chain of events in which she's eventually accused of Stamp's murder. That same night Hannah decides she needs a little tender loving care and who better than the assistant district attorney to give it. The police bust her when she and Redford are in flagrato.

After that Redford decides to see how the other half lives working with Debra Winger on Hannah's defense.

What I liked about Legal Eagles is that it glided nicely from comedy to drama with little effort. The climax at Terrence Stamp's gallery was very well staged and Redford is being a most heroic lawyer.

Also in the cast are Roscoe Lee Browne as the judge at Hannah's trial and Brian Dennehy as a most interesting investigator. It's one of Robert Redford's best films and it's got style and substance.

With Redford, style is a given.

With a stellar cast and mediocre plot, this movie is well executed and the acting skills of the leads raise the movie above it's material on paper. Redfor seems to be enjoying himself and the writers gave each character little human quirks that can't help but make you smile. In one seen, Redford, playing a lawyer is sharing an office with "Kelly" his new partner after he gets caught shaking the sheets with D. Hannahs character and he is moving from chair to chair in the small office finally stating, "I'm a pacer", someone who needs to walk back and forth in order to think clearly.

There is an opening scene with a 60's party that has a Warhol feeling" to it that I enjoyed, as I grew up in those times. And while it plays only a small part in the movie, it brought back a flood of good memories for me. (Anyone remember "The Electric Circus?")

D. Hannah gives a completely 80's reminiscent piece of performance art that is very pych. connected to the wounded character she plays, and if you wait for the credits, you find she played a big part in authoring the piece.

Basically, its the types of movie that is not even in your top ten or twenty, yet you can't help but enjoying it each time you watch it, and you are pleased to see it on the schedule when it is. Kind of a "non-guilty guilty pleasure", I can't help but enjoy the cast, the full of holes plot and poor continuity, (the faux pas of timing and lighting are mentioned in other reviews.) Even Redford's little girl in the movie is one of those kids you have even and enjoy, but can't recall her name. there is an early character role played by Christine Baranski who either got some work done or simply learned how to use her assets better later in her career.

Just watch with an excepting, open mind and you may not only enjoy it, but it may be a cult favorite at some point. *note-my wife is a wall st. attorney and absolutely hates the film as do many other lawyers we know. why? Who knows? Maybe they're strung too tight to let go and enjoy the simple ride.

Full of plot holes and expensive excesses, LEGAL EAGLES wouldn't be much without the genuine star power it receives from it's first class cast.

Redford is very charming as the assistant D.A. whose becomes involved with defense lawyer Winger (terrific as always) to solve a case that includes arson, stolen paintings, insurance fraud, and even murder.

The chemistry between Redford and Winger is very much like Spencer and Tracy and is very enjoyable to watch. However, Daryl Hannah steals the show as the slightly off center performance artist who is in the middle of the complex case.

The film's story will not hold up under much thought and the many shots of buildings on fire will only appeal to pyros. Still, this film is fun entertainment and is a must-see if you are a fan of one of the three stars.

I'd rate this a good 6 out of 10.

I don't believe in magic. But this movie forces me to!

I find it hard to talk about movies I extremely love. But being pushed by that love itself, I have to do it. I first watched (Legal Eagles) when I was 11 year old. Ever since, I adore it. Every moment of it became such a glamorous memory. When I made my list of the best 100 movies I saw, it was surely one of them. So, what do I love about it? Simply EVERYTHING!

Talk serious MAN!. OK: Debra Winger and Robert Redford. The soft-colored and smoking hot cinematography. The breathless pace. The light yet perfect comedy. The few yet masterly action scenes. The mystery of its story. The way this script managed to be a thriller, a great movie about lawyers, and a romantic comedy as well. And nothing can compete with Debra Winger's eyes, especially when she was looking to Redford. I can swear whether she was in love, real love, with him at the moment, or she just a prodigious actress.

The dual, Jim Cash and Jack Epps. Jr, wrote together many other movies. Just remember: Top Gun, Turner & Hooch, Dick Tracy, Anaconda, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. For me, I see that nothing tops the effort they pulled off in Legal Eagles yet. From the complicated storyline of whodunit, to the amusing courtroom drama, reaching to the details of the main 2 characters; I can't get enough of Redford dancing to Gene Kelly's song, or Winger's dialogue; for instance the line of "borrowing one of your looks"!

History speaking; since the end of the 1970s, the movies that mix action or thrill with elements of romantic comedy, where the hero and the heroine have both an equal screen time, became in fashion. I believe that began obviously and strongly after the movement of the women's rights. (Legal Eagles) is without a doubt an icon among these movies, being an excellent competitor to be their best.

Director Ivan Reitman was never more classical. Even the smallest shot is memorable. There is a certain loveliness in the way this movie was made. Actually it has all the classy qualities of the old Hollywood while being in a new Hollywood shape too. It's just one fine example for how the studio's work works. With talents, and a harmony, movies with the intention to entertain do their job highly. This time, they were so lucky because it can't get any higher. Actually, in a case like this we're the lucky ones.

With The Boy Who Could Fly, Wise Guys, The Money Pit, now Legal Eagles must be on the top of them as the best 1986's movie I have watched. This is a classy entertainment, and it's very very rare nowadays. How many movies stand being watched for countless times while not losing any glow along the way?! In other words: How this movie doesn't get any old is one definition of magic in my book.

Come on, you have to admit that this film has a good cast with Debra Winger, Robert Redford, Daryl Hannah, and others in supporting roles like Christine Baranski. I like the fact that it was shot in New York City and not on location somewhere. No offense, Toronto or Vancouver but the backdrop does a good job. Remembering a time when the twin towers was still alive and kicking downtown. I liked the combination of Winger and Redford even though they disliked each other on the set according to rumors. Daryl Hannah plays Chelsea who seeks her father's art from crooked businessmen. She does an adequate job and proves that she's not just a pretty face. Daryl always plays shy very well but in this case, Chelsea is not shy at all. She is a bit rebellious and a performance artist with a fascination for fire. She teams up with Winger's character and later with Redford in more ways than can be said to prove her innocence and get justice served.