The well-crafted script for "One Angry Juror" incorporates levity into a serious murder case. But it also takes a hard look at the judicial system in the highly politicized climate of Chicago, which is called in the film "the nation's capital of corruption."
The protagonist of the film is corporate attorney Ms. Sarah Walsh, who has the distinction of serving as the lead attorney in the defense of the fast-food chain of Anytime Burger, as the company tries to fend off a labor dispute. But Ms. Walsh's life changes when she serves as a juror, then takes over as defense attorney for a young man falsely accused of murder in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood of Chicago.
When Ms. Walsh is called for jury duty, she exclaims, "the American justice system depends on twelve people too stupid to get out of jury duty." She then gives every smart alec answer to the questions, yet is promptly placed on the jury trial of young Walter Byrd.
After the hung jury, Walter is left in prison, and Ms. Walsh decides to be at the helm of his new trial. She gets linked up with a private eye named Derick and penetrates inner Chicago playing the role of his "snow hoe." They revive a drugged out eyewitness named Mackatty Mack, who eventually dies of an overdose. They also discover a corrupt police detective who suppressed and manipulated evidence.
Finally, the time of the trial arrives, and Ms. Walsh questions Rakesha, the only witness who ever accused Walter of the crime. On the stand, Rakesha's testimony does not hold up, and Walter is declared not guilty. Ms. Walsh determines to leave her high-profile job in corporate law to become a social crusader.
The actress playing Ms. Walsh was terrific, combining a naivete with a genuine devotion to her client. The Chicago location filming effectively set the stage for the drama. The only drawback in filming was the recurring use of a split screen that detracted from the flow of the action. Still, this was not only a compelling courtroom drama, but one with good feeling for its subject.
