In telling the true and tragic story of a class action lawsuit filed by the families of eight Woburn, Massachusetts children who died of leukemia after drinking contaminated drinking water, the makers of A Civil Action were faced with the challenge of fashioning a good old fashioned courtroom drama out of a case where the resolution was not as nice and tidy as the ending of a Hollywood film. While the movie is for the most part very engaging and well acted, it's a challenge director Steven Zaillian can't quite overcome.

John Travolta leads a cast that's lucky enough to feature an outstanding actor in every single role. He plays Jan Schlichtmann, a big time Boston personal injury lawyer. When we first meet him, he's the stereotype of an ambulance chaser: a Porsche-driving sleaze who seems to have no qualms about making money off other people's suffering. But something about the Woburn case gets his attention. It's not the pain of the families -- it's the size of the corporate giant who appears to be responsible.

But along the way something changes inside Schlichtmann. He begins to see the case as a pursuit of justice rather than a way to make a buck. He drives his law firm deep into debt to investigate the case -- then pushes the lawsuit to trial rather than accept a settlement he feels would not give the families their due. He loses everything, but he gains a soul. Travolta is commanding in the role, though he does have a bit of trouble making us see why this guy makes the choices that he does.

William H. Macy plays the law firm's financial expert and shows once again why he has become,in just a couple of years, the top supporting actor in the business. As an eccentric opposing attorney, Robert Duvall gives one of the most subtle and finely crafted performances of his long and brilliant career. He provides a villain who's not one-dimensional and he makes it look effortless. John Lithgow is also excellent as the judge.

The Woburn case is a story that deals out some unsettling lessons about the justice system. It's real life conclusion is more complicated than the typical feel-good movie ending, and as a result, A Civil Action has trouble generating a dramatic pay-off. It's too bad reality doesn't always write a great third act.

(c) Copyright 1999