The Goldman Case – REVIEW

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As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for gritty dramas and courtroom thrillers, I found myself captivated by “The Goldman Case.” With a career steeped in the intricacies of justice systems across continents, this French production offered an intriguing perspective on a lesser-known chapter from France’s legal history.

Pierre Goldman, a French criminal, was found guilty in 1974 for four counts of armed robbery, one of which resulted in the deaths of two women. He was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison due to these crimes. The “Goldman Case” recounts his 1976 appeal trial. Raised by Jewish communists and later a left-wing intellectual, Goldman lived in Venezuela where he joined guerrilla groups before relocating back to Paris and ramping up his criminal activities. He is an intense character, as demonstrated by the initial scene showing him firing his attorney, Georges Kiejman (played by Arthir Harari), via letter, only to retract his decision in a subsequent correspondence.

In this scene before Goldman’s trial, he isn’t in a courtroom but instead stands accused. His new lawyers find themselves overwhelmed by his unanticipated and frequent surprises, which include accusations against the police and the prosecution. The courtroom audience, who the judge struggles to control, often turns into a chaotic shouting match, with Goldman adding fuel to the fire. Disregarding the threat of contempt of court, they continue their outbursts, making Goldman’s dramatic performances an integral part of his defense. He accuses the police of corruption and racism, discredits prosecution witnesses, and highlights what he sees as biased testimony against him. Ultimately, Goldman appears to be more focused on undermining the police and witnesses rather than proving his innocence, causing many to view him as an annoying agitator. Whether or not he actually committed the crimes becomes less important compared to discrediting the police and witnesses.

As the defendant, Arieh Worthalter delivers a captivating portrayal, while The Goldman Case embodies typical elements of a courtroom drama. However, its main issue lies in the fact that the case is not widely recognized beyond France, making it less appealing to international audiences. Nevertheless, Worthalter’s performance serves as the primary attraction for this film adaptation of essentially a stage play.

Here’s The Goldman Case trailer …….

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2024-09-18 02:23