I just finished watching it and I must say that it is a good movie, not a great one. I do understand why they changed the story from tobacco to firearms. Firearms are more dramatic and probably most importantly, Hollywood bleeds anti-gun rhetoric. Besides, the attacks on tobacco industry has leveled off and isn't such a big deal any longer.
The opening sequence is a powerful scene to support anti-gun feelings of hoplophobias. The director's commentary of Gary Fleder, along with the making of special feature, were mainly focused on the story of jury consultants and buying a verdict. The director revealed that the sequence was based on Mark Barton, a day trader that killed nine people in two Atlanta brokerage firms. He supposedly lost $100,000 day trading and killed his family sometime before walking into the offices of All-Tech Investment Services in July 1999. Barton would later take his own life.
One thing the Fleder mentioned in his commentary was the bloodless scene of the office massacre. And there was no gore to be seen, but he did capture the horror actor Dylan McDermott expressed so well of being a fish in a barrel.
And isn't that the utopia those who support anti-gun laws would have for us? They would like us to believe that without guns, the world would be a peaceful place as the end of the movie shows children running around and laughing on a playground? Isn't that why they want to pass gun laws? For the children? Or wouldn't it be more so that criminals would have fish in a barrel if a law was passed to ban firearms?
But being logical as we are understand that laws meant to control criminal use of guns do not stop those willing to break the law. Those laws prevent or restrict law-abiding citizens from using their right to arms for the defense of their life and livelihood.
It's too bad that not only did the characters in the movie have an agenda, but the producers of this propaganda did as well. There were no mention of federally licensed gun manufacturers who sell to federally licensed distributors, who then sell to federally licensed dealers, who then sell to those who fill out a 4473 form and have a background check done prior to the ownership of the firearm.
For those who are naïve about the Second Amendment and freedom, this movie makes an easy arguement to them for the prohibition of firearms and paints an evil face on the gun industry. It's just sad that some people will buy into a view without looking into it further.
-Tommy
