IMDb RATING
6.2/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
A drama centered on the relationship between Phil Spector and defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden while the music business legend was on trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.A drama centered on the relationship between Phil Spector and defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden while the music business legend was on trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.A drama centered on the relationship between Phil Spector and defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden while the music business legend was on trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.
- Nominated for 11 Primetime Emmys
- 2 wins & 37 nominations total
Vernon Campbell
- Bodyguard
- (as Vernon W. Campbell)
Adargiza De Los Santos
- Focus Group Woman
- (as Adalgiza Chemountd)
Steve Park
- Focus Group Man
- (as Stephen Park)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis movie revolved around the murder of Lana Clarkson. Clarkson appeared in Scarface (1983) with Al Pacino, who played Phil Spector in this movie.
- GoofsIn one of the interviews with Phil Spector, he says "Sam Cooke, in bed with some girl, the husband comes home - bam bam bam!". In reality, Sam Cooke was killed by a manager at a motel to which he had brought a prostitute. Sam Cooke was using the toilet in his room when the prostitute ran off with all his clothes, presumably to rob him. Cooke went into frenzy and headed for the manager's office, wearing nothing but shoes and a jacket, to ask where the prostitute had gone. The manager perceived Cooke's aggressive manner as an attack and shot him in the stomach. Court ruled the case as "justifiable homicide" and the manager was freed of all charges.
- Quotes
Bruce Cutler: She shot herself.
Linda Kenney Baden: You bet she did!
Bruce Cutler: Why?
Linda Kenney Baden: Not our problem anymore.
- Crazy credits'This is a work of fiction. It's not "based on a true story." It is a drama inspired by actual persons in a trial, but it is neither an attempt to depict the actual persons, nor to comment upon the trial or its outcome.'
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)
- SoundtracksUnchained Melody
Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret
Performed by The Righteous Brothers
Courtesy of Universal Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Featured review
Based on actual events that took place, PHIL SPECTOR dramatizes the court-case in which the eponymous hero (Al Pacino) is accused of murder and defended by hotshot lawyer Linda (Helen Mirren). With David Mamet as writer/director, viewers can expect nothing less than a penetrating character-study with the emphasis on great dialog and changing reactions. PHIL SPECTOR does not disappoint in this respect; a study of a once-great music producer fallen on hard times who (like Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD) lives in fantasy-worlds of his own creation. The ever-increasingly grotesque choice of wigs Spector uses is proof of this. Sometimes it's difficult to separate truth from fiction, while listening to his lengthy speeches - which makes the lawyer's task of defending him that much more difficult. In the end Spector's pretensions are unmasked as he is literally brow-beaten into making an appearance in court: Mamet's camera focuses unrelentingly on his hands that shake uncontrollably as he listens to the evidence presented against him.
As the lawyer, Mirren acts as a workmanlike foil to Pacino's central performance. Although firmly convinced of her client's innocence, she finds it increasingly difficult to present a convincing case; the judge and the prosecution seem hell-bent on frustrating her, as well as her client. Nonetheless she shows admirable stoicism in pursuing her case.
In the end, however, PHIL SPECTOR is not really a courtroom drama, even though much of the action is set in and around the court-house. Rather it concentrates on the double-edged nature of celebrity; when you're riding high, no one can touch you, but when you're down on your luck, everyone wants to kick you. This helps to explain Spector's retreat into a fantasy-world - at least no one can touch him there.
As the lawyer, Mirren acts as a workmanlike foil to Pacino's central performance. Although firmly convinced of her client's innocence, she finds it increasingly difficult to present a convincing case; the judge and the prosecution seem hell-bent on frustrating her, as well as her client. Nonetheless she shows admirable stoicism in pursuing her case.
In the end, however, PHIL SPECTOR is not really a courtroom drama, even though much of the action is set in and around the court-house. Rather it concentrates on the double-edged nature of celebrity; when you're riding high, no one can touch you, but when you're down on your luck, everyone wants to kick you. This helps to explain Spector's retreat into a fantasy-world - at least no one can touch him there.
- l_rawjalaurence
- Jun 4, 2013
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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