Both Kevin Bacon and Gary Oldman are true masters in this one. The movie is like a symbolic piece of art made from elements of action, suspense, and psychothriller. And to finish it off, there is a very thoughtful metaphor used in the final scenes th... (read more) Both Kevin Bacon and Gary Oldman are true masters in this one. The movie is like a symbolic piece of art made from elements of action, suspense, and psychothriller. And to finish it off, there is a very thoughtful metaphor used in the final scenes that leaves you staring at the credits thinking 'Wow..'. AWESOME.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!
A solid star and a half is my rating, and considering I give no inches if they don't deserve it. The direction by Campbell who would subsequently direct two James Bond movies is very good, but not spectacular. Bacon is okay, I've see... (read more) SPOILERS AHEAD!!
A solid star and a half is my rating, and considering I give no inches if they don't deserve it. The direction by Campbell who would subsequently direct two James Bond movies is very good, but not spectacular. Bacon is okay, I've seen my share of serial killers in cinema, and have read about real serial killers too, and his characterization did not impress me, although he was good enough for the part. The real star here is Gary Oldman, who has a depth, and plays a young lawyer with authenticity, energy, and originality. Basically my whole rating goes to him mostly. The screenplay is pretty good, and it keeps you guessing about what's next.

The negative points which hinders this film in getting more praise from me are ; grainy photography, lack of realism in Bacon's character, and no brutal killing scene is ever showed, we only see the dead bodies. Not enough tension in the courtroom, the sex scenes are hot, but we don't get to see enough skin, the tunel under the ground linking the park to the closet, is very far-fetched to say the least. Towards the end I just wanted it to end, so this is not good, means it drags.

Overall this sexy thriller is fun, but one viewing for me will be sufficient. The strong point which makes this film entertaining, even if it drags at times, is Gary Oldman's portrayal of the young smart hot shot defense lawyer, and from experience because I have been represented by a defense lawyer myself, his characterization is top-notch, too bad Kevin Bacon was chosen as the antagonist, I would have casted a bolder more authentic creep, not this preppy face taunting Bacon. Kevin Bacon is not a bad actor, but here he does not complement Gary Oldman to enhance Oldman, but distracts more, than reinforcing the story.

The story is original, but there are some plot-holes, why does he wait so long to kill his mother ? And why isn't it explored in the story that he would have had a psychiatric history ? The victims are women who had abortions, or who practiced abortions, we are thus a little desensitized about them, I was, and the killer is more taunting and ridiculously cliched in some ways, his actions make sense from his disturbed childhood, but did I believe it while I was watching this movie ? No I did not believe him (his character).

If you like in movies to see stuff on ; serial killers, the law, the justice system, and a damn good young lawyer with balls. Then this film will enchant you, otherwise you might as well just pass.

It had me for about the first 20 minutes, then it completely lost me, never to get me back.

`Criminal Law" is a textbook example of a movie going wrong before our very eyes, because of the curious failure of the filmmakers to realize that you can toy with an audience only so long before the audience grows resentful.

this has the style, feel, and tone of a great thriller. however, casting oldman as the hero was a blunder, the performances are subpar, and the plot is assanine.