Cinematic Justice: How Films Shape Legal Views
By Ryan Arias ‘28
After a long day of classes, it’s finally time to wind down and relax. You throw yourself into bed, bury yourself underneath mountains of blankets, and turn on the latest episode of that true crime show you just can’t get enough of. The dramatic music swells, a narrator with a serious tone sets the scene, detectives work swiftly, and a last-minute confession wraps up the episode.
It’s gripping, captivating, and seemingly educational! But how much of what you’re watching is an accurate reflection of our legal system? While many crime dramas and legal thrillers can give us insight into the world of law and justice, they often prioritize entertainment over accuracy in order to keep their audiences interested and engaged. The way television tackles trials and investigations can often lead to unrealistic expectations about legal processes, or possibly even influence the way real-life jurors can approach a trial.
Television series centered around the legal system can often depict areas within the profession in an unrealistic manner. An instance where we can find this is in the role of forensic evidence in the 2014 film, Gone Girl. Although the movie does not focus on forensic science to the extent of shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, it uses evidence as a key component in crafting the perfect crimes. However, the film’s lack of focus on the actual forensic science and emphasis on the psychological drama highlights the separation between how legal investigations and trials unfold in reality. In many real-world cases, forensic evidence, such as DNA analysis or digital forensics, can take entire weeks or even months to process. The fast-paced retrieval of the evidence, as well as the conclusion deduced from it in the film does not accurately depict a pathway to a conclusive understanding of a case.
On the other hand, a film like Legally Blonde challenges the traditional stereotypes that come with being a woman interested in pursuing a career in law. Elle Woods, a sorority girl who majored in Fashion Merchandising, is initially dismissed for her femininity and perceived lack of intelligence, but defies the expectations put against her through her use of logic and legal knowledge to win her case. She is ultimately able to break through the rigid, male-dominated image of law she’s up against. The film is able to portray an unconventional approach on tackling the stereotypes and prejudices within the legal industry, fueling a movement that captured the interests of many young viewers to pursue a career in law. The movie accurately empowers women to help uplift one another and inspire others to achieve success in demanding professions like law.
While many films dramatize the legal system through high-stakes courtroom battles, 12 Angry Men offers a different, yet equally powerful perspective. This film's centerpiece: the jury. By immersing the audience into the deliberation room, the film not only informs them about the behind-the-scenes evaluations that go into making a decision, but challenges the audience to reconsider their understanding of justice and bias when it comes to performing a civic duty. The film tackles how both psychological and social dynamics play a heavy role in jury deliberations. Through its cast of characters, audiences are able to see the illustrated impact of personal bias and social pressure when it comes to shaping legal outcomes. Jurors are also human, and can therefore be influenced by societal norms and customs. After evaluating the strength of the prosecution’s case and the potential flaws in the evidence, the jury ultimately finds the defendant not guilty, concluding that there was reasonable doubt about his guilt. The message of the film influences public attitudes toward civic responsibility, highlighting the complexities of jury deliberations and how the fallibility of human judgment can influence outcomes. At the same time, the film demonstrates the power of critical thinking and having your own conviction to ensure justice prevails.
Both films and television shows about law hold power that can shape public perceptions of the legal system. On one hand, they can illuminate the flaws within legal processes, as well as oversimplifying or dramatizing reality. On the other hand, they can demonstrate important legal principles and inspire confidence in a pursuit of justice. In the end, it’s important for viewers to evaluate these portrayals and reflect on their own understanding of the law.
Ryan Arias is a freshman majoring in finance and political science.
Sources
Greenfield, S., Osborn, G., & Robson, P. (2013, January 31). The impact of film and television on perceptions of law and justice: Towards a realisable methodology. In Law and Popular Culture: A Coursebook (pp. 250-270). Springer Nature.https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-90-481-9322-6_46
Moss, H. (2019, December 5). How ‘Legally Blonde’ influenced a generation of women lawyers. ABA Journal. https://www.abajournal.com/voice/article/how-legally-blonde-influenced-a-generation-of-women-lawyers
Papke, D. (2007). The Impact of Popular Culture on American Perceptions of the Courts. Indiana Law Journal: Vol. 82: Iss. 1, Article 5.https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj/vol82/iss5/5/?utm_source=www.repository.law.indiana.edu%2Filj%2Fvol82%2Fiss5%2F5&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages
Vergel, G. (2010, November 15). How 12 Angry Men Influenced One Future Justice. InsideFordham.
https://now.fordham.edu/inside-fordham/how-12-angry-men-influenced-one-future-justice/
