Captivating from start to end, TRUE BELIEVER is a great little film. Years ago, I was led to stay away from the film as being TV-ish. Not so at all. Thanks to Hulu and Crackle, I've had a chance to watch this intriguing peek at "justice" and injustice. It's creepy to think that so many people in powerful positions of authority can be responsible for commiting the worst crimes of all.
I recommend this film.

The only thing worse than this less than marginal courtroom/crime drama and script was James Wood's yelling and empty frenetic movements passing for acting. This film is bad even by 1989 standards. The storyline was embarrassingly recycled with holes you could drive through. Instead of a thoughtful portrayal of a washed up but brilliant 60's and 70's lawyer, Woods gives us the cliche version, never showing us why his character changed. Really disappointing one dimensional acting by Woods. Subplots, that could have perhaps saved this film were all but nonexistent, until needed for the predictable courtroom moment. Supports were good despite bad writing. Not one of Wood's better performances, to say the least.

This movie portrays a thinner, more handsome, more charismatic version of the slimiest criminal defense attorney in the history of the United States. J. Tony Serra ladies & gentlemen. http://www.scari.org/seuss-twee.html

James Woods' character's hatred of bureaucrats and law enforcement agents who conspire to step on our constitutional rights in the name of expediency... that disdain carries the movie. If you don't know what the US Constitution says or does, and if you don't mind throwing away your rights in order to more easily convict the bad guys, then you'll hate this movie. You won't get it. However, if you understand the Constitution and understand that violating criminals' rights will set the criminals free, also understanding that protecting criminals' rights keeps law abiding citizens free, then you'll at the least appreciate this movie, and possibly you'll love it as much as I did.

It was an ok movie, I didn't mind watching it... but there were holes in the story line, and the acting was a little overly dramatic at times. Robert Downing Jr. wasn't in the movie much either, which is why I originally wanted to watch it.

Woods didn't act for this role, this is him in the flesh. His utter abandon, zest for life and the truth. There were no dull moments, Eddie always had an ace up his sleeve, always thinking the next step. He lives to excel in his fields of endeavor ... probably got that from his Mom. Loved the excitement. Fantastic court drama.

Great court/crime film! Woods gives another superb performance. And the music is not too shabby either.