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Absolutely Fantastic

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I watched this when it aired on HBO and told everyone I knew to watch it for themselves. I don't normally recommend a movie or TV show unless I am really blown away. Today I was talking about Bill Pullman and found myself chatting about this flick as one of my most memorable and favorite films. My friend wanted the name after my review but I couldn't remember. I knew IMDb would list all film appearances. I read the three reviews and absolutely disagreed with one of them, so; I thought I'd add my take on it. This movie had me talking and sometimes yelling at the TV. This is a gripping tale that will give you much food for thought about our legal system. Great acting, good script and as on point in 2014 as it was when it first aired. I say watch it.

"Mistrial" was an HBO movie that was aired on cable late in 1996. Bill Pullman and Robert Loggia reunited for this film after both starring in "Independence Day" the same year. Pullman plays a police detective who busts a criminal played by Jon Seda on a murder charge. The case goes to trial but Seda's character is found innocent. Enraged by the verdict, Pullman's character holds the jury members at gunpoint and forces them to reexamine the case until they get the verdict right. This is a very well-acted film and gives Pullman one of his few leading roles (unless you count "Serpent and the Rainbow"). Loggia also gives good supporting work as Pullman's captain and concerned friend. Jon Seda is also effective in his role as the slimy killer (who the story lets you know is guilty but alas with society and its red tape still gets found innocent of the charge). What Pullman's character does is wrong but the film definitely lets you empathize with his motives. It points out an interesting question: Does it take committing an act of violence to get our courts to prosecute someone else also guilty of an act of violence?

"Mistrial" tells of a highly improbably story of a cop caught in the jaws of an imperfect system who goes over the edge and holds a courtroom hostage. Good work by Pullman can't save a mediocre screenplay and ludicrous lagging story with some good acting talent in scripted mannequin roles. Very ordinary low budget made-for-tv yawner.

Bill Pullman (Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping) stars as a police officer who takes over the courtroom where an accused cop-killer is going to be let free because the evidence he collected is in-admissable. Jon Seda (Selena, Sunchaser) plays the accused cop-killer. The film gains most of its strength from the two main performances, especially Pullman's. Always a likeable actor, Pullman creates a flawed character who is in way over his head. Seda gives a very good performance also. Highly recommended.