It received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for the performances of Duvall and Downey and Thomas Newman's score.

Hank Palmer is a trial lawyer in Chicago, acerbic and notorious for defending powerful clients he knows to be guilty.

Before returning to his rural hometown of Carlinville, Indiana to attend his mother's funeral, he argues with his wife, Lisa, whom he is divorcing for infidelity.

The morning after the funeral, Hank notices that the Judge's Cadillac is damaged and accuses his father, a recovered alcoholic, of driving intoxicated.

While preparing for trial, Hank learns that his father is secretly undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer, which has affected his mental acuity for months.

Hank's strained family relationship is further complicated by his former girlfriend, Sam Powell, who owns the local diner.

During cross-examination he scuttles his defense by saying that he cannot remember the hit-and-run but believes he may have killed Blackwell intentionally, shocking the court.

Seven months later, Hank returns as his father has been granted a compassionate release, requested by the prosecutor, to allow him to die at home.

[4] The casting of Robert Duvall, Vincent D'Onofrio,[5] Vera Farmiga,[6] and Dax Shepard was reported in March 2013.

[18] It was premiered in Los Angeles on October 1, 2014, at the Beverly Hills' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The website's consensus reads: "Solidly cast and beautifully filmed but thoroughly clichéd, The Judge seems destined to preside over a large jurisdiction of the basic cable afternoon-viewing circuit.

"[25] Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent wrote, "For all its contrivances and occasional lapses into On Golden Pond-style mawkishness, this is a richly crafted yarn that boasts barnstorming, if very showy performances from Duvall and Downey Jr."[26] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave a mixed to positive review, writing, "There are plenty of emotional fireworks in this big, soupy but entertaining picture, which is obvious Oscar bait.

"[27] Entertainment Weekly critic Chris Nashawaty gave the film a "B" rating, and stated, "I don't expect The Judge to usher in a new era of legal thrillers, but I'm happy to see Downey leave the Marvel universe and Baker Street behind.