A Civil Action (1998), directed by Steven Zaillian, is a gripping legal drama based on Jonathan Harr’s nonfiction book. It dives deep into environmental justice, corporate negligence, and the moral transformation of a lawyer who begins the film obsessed with winning — not with doing right. Below is a full, spoiler-filled deep dive touching every point you requested.
Detailed Summary
The Case Emerges: A Small Town in Trouble
The story begins in Woburn, Massachusetts, where several children have died from leukemia. Two families, desperate for answers, suspect local factories contaminated the water supply. When they approach personal-injury lawyer Jan Schlichtmann (John Travolta), he initially rejects them — until he realizes the corporations involved (Beatrice Foods and W.R. Grace) seem wealthy enough to make the case profitable.
Jan Takes the Case — And the Risk
Jan’s firm takes on the case, unaware of the enormous financial and emotional toll ahead. As the investigation deepens, the team uncovers signs of toxic dumping and possible corporate cover-ups. The lawsuit becomes a behemoth: expensive experts, endless filings, and a defense team armed with unlimited resources.
Corporate Stonewalls and Mounting Pressure
The judge, played with great restraint by John Lithgow, frequently sides with the defense on procedural issues. Meanwhile, Jan’s obsession with winning escalates. He mortgages everything the firm owns, risking bankruptcy for the sake of what he believes is a career-defining victory. His partners grow increasingly concerned as the firm spirals toward financial ruin.
The Trial: A Crushing Blow
Despite compelling evidence, the plaintiffs face an uphill battle. The jury returns a partial verdict that technically favors the families but awards no damages. It’s a legal defeat disguised as moral validation — and for Jan, it’s catastrophic.
Movie Ending
The ending of A Civil Action is sobering, realistic, and profoundly human. After the trial, Jan refuses a low settlement offer from W.R. Grace, still convinced he can achieve a major win. But the financial strain finally collapses his law firm. He is forced to declare bankruptcy, lay off his employees, and relinquish the lifestyle he once flaunted.
However, in the film’s most significant emotional turn, Jan undergoes a moral evolution. He brings the evidence he has gathered to the EPA, hoping the government — unlike the private legal system — will finish what he couldn’t.
The EPA later files its own suit and ultimately forces the companies to pay millions for environmental cleanup. Jan no longer profits from the case, but he finds a measure of peace. The families gain some justice, though far less than they deserved.
The ending underscores the film’s central message: Some battles are worth fighting even when you know you’ll lose, and systemic justice often requires something bigger than one courtroom victory.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. The film ends without any mid- or post-credit scenes.
Type of Movie
A Civil Action is a legal drama rooted in real events. It blends courtroom tension with character-driven storytelling, focusing on moral responsibility and the human cost of corporate wrongdoing.
Cast
- John Travolta as Jan Schlichtmann
- Robert Duvall as Jerome Facher
- William H. Macy as James Gordon
- Tony Shalhoub as Kevin Conway
- John Lithgow as Judge Walter J. Skinner
- Kathleen Quinlan as Anne Anderson
- James Gandolfini as Al Love
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Danny Elfman, who adds a subdued, melancholic tone that enhances the film’s courtroom seriousness and emotional weight. It’s one of Elfman’s more restrained works and fits the grounded nature of the story.
Filming Locations
- Woburn, Massachusetts: Filming in and around Woburn adds authenticity, anchoring the film firmly to the true events it depicts.
- Boston, Massachusetts: Courtroom scenes and city locations immerse viewers in the New England legal environment.
These real locations reinforce the film’s nonfiction roots, helping the viewer feel the gravity of the tragedy.
Awards and Nominations
- Robert Duvall received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
- The film earned nominations from various critics’ associations for acting and screenplay.
While not a blockbuster, it was critically respected, especially for performances.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Steven Zaillian insisted on a realistic legal tone, avoiding the overly dramatic style common in courtroom movies.
- Robert Duvall modeled his quiet, meticulous performance on real-life corporate lawyers.
- John Travolta spent time with actual attorneys to understand their decision-making psychology.
- Many extras in the courtroom scenes were real lawyers and paralegals to maintain authenticity.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on the 1995 nonfiction book A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr. The book itself was the product of years of investigation into the real case of contamination in Woburn, Massachusetts. The film closely follows the documented events but naturally condenses some legal complexities.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Although no alternate ending was filmed, several courtroom sequences were shortened for pacing. A few scenes exploring Jan’s personal relationships were removed because the director wanted the film to remain focused on the case rather than the character’s romantic life.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Since the story comes directly from a nonfiction book, the film compresses timelines and simplifies legal jargon. The book delves deeper into:
- Day-to-day trial strategies
- EPA investigations
- Scientific evidence regarding groundwater contamination
The film, by contrast, centers more on Jan’s moral and financial unraveling, making it more character-driven than the book.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The heartbreaking early montage explaining the children’s leukemia cases.
- Jan’s first meeting with the Woburn families — a turning point he doesn’t realize yet.
- The tense deposition scenes with corporate employees.
- The moment Jan rejects the settlement offer and seals his own fate.
Iconic Quotes
- “The truth is what we say it is.”
- “If you’re a plaintiff’s lawyer, you’d better love your client — because you’re going to live with them for a long time.”
- “Lawyers are like beavers — they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Some of the case files shown on-screen are replicas of the real Woburn documents.
- The film briefly nods to real EPA officials who worked on the case.
- The office décor in Jan’s firm intentionally evolves from sleek and modern to bare and desperate, visually tracking his downfall.
Trivia
- William H. Macy reportedly rewrote many of his own lines to capture his character’s nervous energy.
- John Travolta called the character of Jan one of his most challenging dramatic roles.
- The real Anne Anderson visited the set and advised actors on how the tragedy impacted the families.
Why Watch?
You should watch A Civil Action if you appreciate intelligent, realistic legal dramas that examine moral responsibility. The film’s emotional depth, powerful performances, and grounded depiction of environmental injustice make it not just entertaining but important. It’s a reminder that sometimes justice is incomplete — but still worth pursuing.
Director’s Other Movies
- Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) — screenplay
- Schindler’s List (1993) — screenplay
- Gangs of New York (2002) — screenplay
