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I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Dan Snow (Walter Matthau) is a liberal Supreme Court Judge. He is sadden by his friend's death, his conservative opposite on the bench. He is horrified when the President picks Orange County conservative judge Ruth Loomis (Jill Clayburgh) to be the new replacement despite her being the first female Supreme Court Judge.The issues being fought over almost seem quaint at times. It kinda goes back and forth without finding a direction. Their arguing is not any fun and gets tiresome rather quickly. There is humor in Matthau's grumpiness and some banter. At least, they don't get together which partially saves this.

Ever get the feeling Walter Matthau plays the same character in every movie? Oscar Madison? Buttermaker? Dan Snow? Yup, it's no mirage. But give him credit - no one does the grumpy routine better than Matthau. This film - conceived, written, produced and prepared before Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court - deals with the relationship between Matthau (his character is based loosely on William O. Douglas, I suspect) and Clayburgh and their differing legal perspectives. It's actually a charming look at a serious subject, the basic dilemma between morality and legality. Unfortunately, there is some gratuitous gender humor and nudity, which really has no place in this film. Clayburgh is likable enough, but her role is ridiculous, assuming the character really is a prominent woman - if you can overlook the tasteless gender jokes, the film is worth viewing.

This film is probably not many people's first choice for a subject to be covered, but when writers Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee wrote it they proved once again why they were one of America's top Play Writing teams: The choice of cast for this production, set against the hallowed halls of justice and in and around Washington, could not have been better. Matthau, at the very top of his game plays a William O Douglas like curmudgeonly liberal justice Daniel Snow, who has a low opinion of a certain woman circuit court judge Ruth Loomis, played by Jill Clayburgh. When a justice of the Supreme Court, Stanley Morehead dies the President names Judge Loomis to replace him. And with that the social conservative Loomis and Liberal Snow line up to do battle, with a surprising twist in this intellectual comedy. This film is rated R for some language and certain scenes not appropriate for children.

Walter Matthau will always be one of my favorites from the sleazy bar-owner in King Creole to Hopscotch(another unusual pairing with Glenda Jackson)to countless other films he has appeared in... His droll comments and quick wit are hilarious.... and Jill Clayburgh does stand up to the occasion of matching him in legal argument(although scripted).... Of all the Matthau pieces, I think this is well worth the time, though I think the title(refers to the first sitting each year of the Supreme Court Judges)could have been a little more enticing to the general public... I think as a result of the title this movie has been largely overlooked... It is a funny, believable piece, well worth catching if you can!