Le persécuteur

That rarest of birds, a TV-movie that's every bit as engrossing as any theatrical film. James Woods in a personal-best turn as ruthless McCarthy-era prosecutor Roy Cohn. If you didn't see it on HBO, get over having to pay for something you could have seen for free, and just rent it--you won't be sorry

This film is an amazing study in self-loathing. As Cohn himself puts it in the movie, he was "a Jew who persecuted Jews; a gay who persecuted gays." Always trying to prove something to himself or his parents, he recklessly smashed lives and helped create the paranoia of the McCarthy era.

In the midst of the tragedy there are some very funny moments such as when Cohn eats off the plates of everyone he is dining with including Cardinal Spellman of New York. He was indulged and self-indulgent.

There is a Shakespearian quality to some of the scenes in which Cohn speaks to himself or to the ghosts of people he hurt. This is a disturbing look at human ego as well as a bitterly funny movie.

In the 50's, the ambitious and unscrupulous Jewish prosecutor Roy Marcus Cohn (James Woods) convinces Senator Joseph McCarthy (Joe Don Baker) to be his Chief Counselor in his hunting against communists. The arrogant Cohn destroys careers and lives and becomes a Jew hunting Jews and a gay hunting gays. In 1986, he dies of AIDS in a hospital in New York.

"Citizen Cohn" tells the rise and fall of an unscrupulous, arrogant and despicable Roy Marcus Cohn through flashbacks. I saw this film in the early 90's and the performance of James Woods is outstanding. This is the third time that I see this magnificent movie. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Cidadão Cohn" ("Citizen Cohn")

I find this film, tv movie or not, to be absolutely incredible! James woods is great as always, and he gives us a sometimes scary look into the disturbed mind of one of the leaders of the McCarthy era. He's surrounded by an excellent cast, even Joe Don Baker turns out a good performance as the alcoholic McCarthy. A must-see for anyone interested in the early 50's or for those who have read Arthur Miller's "The Crucible".

The film is based on the book by the same name.

"Citizen Cohn" (1992): James Woods plays intense characters. This may be his best. Roy Cohn (Woods) was the pit bull dog of a lawyer for Senator Joe McCarthy during the Commie Hunts of the 1950's and beyond. We follow Cohn's life – his self-righteous, contradictory, opportunistic, sleazy life – from childhood to death bed. Structured in flashbacks and flashforwards, we see his twisted points of view along with his victims and lackies. This is one of the best character studies ever made. It's disgusting, and true. Also starring Joe Don Baker, Joseph Bologna, Ed Flanders, Frederick Forrest, Lee Grant, and others. If you like Woods' job in this one (and you will), see "Another Day in Paradise" or the classic "The Onion Field".