Witness for the Prosecution
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
A sick old lawyer defends a man accused of killing a rich lady. The man's wife plays a tricky game in court. At the end, everyone learns the shocking truth. This is a sharp, funny and gripping mystery with no hard flags. It is not a lesson in virtue, though. Lies win in court, a guilty man goes free, and the story ends in a killing. The one age is 13, set by Lumen's own call, stricter than Common Sense Media's 11+. The film is not MPA rated and no Catholic classification was found. Expect two murders, an affair, a bigamous marriage planned perjury, and heavy drinking and smoking.
For parents
Best for teens and up. The one age is 13, set by Lumen's own call. Common Sense Media says 11+, the film is not MPA rated, and no Catholic classification was found. Expect lots of drinking and cigar smoking, including a sick man sneaking brandy against doctor's orders. The plot runs on lies. Christine commits perjury out of love, and it works, but the man she saves is a murderer who betrays her. Talk about how lies trap the liar. Point out that her marriage to Leonard was never valid, since she was already married. Ask: did the court do justice? Was Christine's final act justice or revenge? Why does the Church say we may never do evil so that good may come of it?