Trial and Error (1997)
Trial and Error (1997), an American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, follows the story of Charlie Tuttle. Recently promoted to partner at the prestigious law firm Whitfield and Morris, he is tasked by his boss and future father-in-law with requesting a continuance for a cousin-in-law’s mail fraud case in Paradise Bluff, Nevada. Despite conflicting with his upcoming bachelor party, Charlie makes the journey from California. To his surprise, he is met by his best man, actor Richard Rietti, who is determined to ensure a memorable pre-wedding celebration. However, things take an unexpected turn when Charlie gets into a barfight and ends up taking painkillers for the resulting injuries.
The next day, on the day of the court appearance for con artist Benny Gibbs, Richard finds that Charlie has taken all of the medication and is in no condition to represent their client. Thinking on his feet, Richard assumes Charlie’s identity to act as legal counsel. As the trial unexpectedly begins, Richard and Charlie must maintain their facade to avoid imprisonment for committing a fraud against the court. In order to guide Richard through the legal proceedings, Charlie poses as his “assistant” and discreetly uses flash cards to signal which objections to raise based on the rules of evidence. However, tempers flare when Judge Paul Graff challenges Charlie’s authority and prohibits him from reentering the courthouse, after Richard deviates from Charlie’s instructions during his defense.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Michael RichardsRichard Rietti  Jeff DanielsCharles Tuttle  Charlize TheronBillie Tyler  Jessica SteenElizabeth  Austin PendletonJudge Paul Z. Graff  Rip TornBenny Gibbs  Alexandra WentworthTiffany  Jennifer CoolidgeJacqueline |
Trial and Error (1997), an American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, follows the story of Charlie Tuttle. Recently promoted to partner at the prestigious law firm Whitfield and Morris, he is tasked by his boss and future father-in-law with requesting a continuance for a cousin-in-law’s mail fraud case in Paradise Bluff, Nevada. Despite conflicting with his upcoming bachelor party, Charlie makes the journey from California. To his surprise, he is met by his best man, actor Richard Rietti, who is determined to ensure a memorable pre-wedding celebration. However, things take an unexpected turn when Charlie gets into a barfight and ends up taking painkillers for the resulting injuries.
The next day, on the day of the court appearance for con artist Benny Gibbs, Richard finds that Charlie has taken all of the medication and is in no condition to represent their client. Thinking on his feet, Richard assumes Charlie’s identity to act as legal counsel. As the trial unexpectedly begins, Richard and Charlie must maintain their facade to avoid imprisonment for committing a fraud against the court. In order to guide Richard through the legal proceedings, Charlie poses as his “assistant” and discreetly uses flash cards to signal which objections to raise based on the rules of evidence. However, tempers flare when Judge Paul Graff challenges Charlie’s authority and prohibits him from reentering the courthouse, after Richard deviates from Charlie’s instructions during his defense.
