"The Judge" movie quotes tell the story of an estranged judge father and attorney son who are reunited and forced to work together under unfortunate circumstances. The drama film was directed by David Dobkin using a screenplay by Nick Schenk and Bill Dubuque. "The Judge" opened in theaters on October 10, 2014.
In "The Judge," high profile attorney Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) learns that his mother has died and he needs to return to his hometown in Indiana for the services. That involves reuniting with ruthless father Joseph (Robert Duvall) who is also the judge in the small town.
Just when things couldn't get any more complicated dealing with his father, Hank learns that Joseph is being charged with murder after running over a man, with which he has a bad history, just after the funeral services. As much as neither want to do this together, Hank and Joseph are forced to work together to defend against the charges, but they'll need to work out some old lingering issues first if they will be successful.
Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, David Krumholtz and Billy Bob Thornton co-star in the film which joins theaters already showing movies such as "Gone Girl," "Men, Women & Children," "Left Behind," "The Equalizer," "Pride," "Good People," "The Boxtrolls," "This is Where I Leave You," "The Maze Runner," "A Walk Among the Tombstones," "Dolphin Tale 2," "No Good Deed," "The Skeleton Twins," "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby," "The Drop," "The Identical," "Frontera," "The Longest Week," "The November Man," "The Congress," "Life of Crime," "Starred Up," "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," "If I Stay."
The Judge Movie Quotes,
You Leave Now, You Will Regret It
Hank Palmer: "I can't stay."
Samantha: "You are a lawyer. He is your father. You leave now, you will regret it."
Hank talks to his former love Samantha about how he wants to leave town rather than stay and help defend his father against the murder charge. Samantha points out that if he leaves, he will never forgive himself for abandoning his family in this time of need.
Was I Tough on You? Yes!
Judge Joseph Palmer: "Was I tough on you? Yes! I did what I thought was right."
Hank and father Joseph finally hash out some unresolved issues about Hank's childhood. Joseph admits that he was tough on Hank but states that he did it for a good reason.
My Mom Passed Away This Morning
Mike Kattan: "The infamous Hank Palmer, the jaded lawyer with no respect for the law… How does it feel knowing every person you represent is guilty?"
Hank Palmer: "It's fine. Innocent people can't afford me."
…
Judge: "Is there anything either council would care to add?"
Hank Palmer: "My mom passed away this morning."
Mike Kattan: "Is this the first time your mother passed away or is this something you do on all the cases you're about to lose?"
Hank Palmer: "First time"
An exchange between Hank and another attorney sets the stage for the rest of the film. Hank is a high profile, arrogant lawyer who learns that his mother has just passed away.
Regarding Your Father
Hank Palmer: "Hank Palmer"
Sheriff White: "Hank, Sheriff White, it's regarding your father… Forensics found traces of blood on your dad's car."
Hank receives a call from the local sheriff informing him that his father is being charged with murder. This makes an already uncomfortable visit with the family even more complicated.
You Just Happen to Run Him Over?
Hank Palmer: "Biggest mistake of your career and you just happen to run him over?"
Hank confronts his father about his murder charge and questions what really happened that day. As ruthless as father Joseph can be, Hank does not rule out murder.
There's No 'we' Here, Henry
Judge Joseph Palmer: "I sat on the bench in that courtroom for 42 years. The people in this community trust me, trust the law. This was an accident, period."
Hank Palmer: "We need to establish a firm defense."
Judge Joseph Palmer: "There's no 'we' here, Henry… I wish I liked you more."
Hank tries to prepare his father, Joseph, for the trial, knowing that this case will be a tough one. Joseph, on the other hand, does not want Hank's help.
My Father's a Lot of Unpleasant Things but a Murderer Is Not One of Them
Dwight Dickham: "You're a shined-up wooden nickel, Mr. Palmer. I'm going to impale your client on a first-degree murder charge and you get a front row seat."
Hank Palmer: "My father's a lot of unpleasant things but a murderer is not one of them."
Dwight Dickham: "I'll paint your father as a holier than thou prick determined to see what he considers justice served."
Hank Palmer: "My father is a holier than thou prick determined to see what he considers justice served, so it's going to be a light day."
Dwight Dickham: "That's funny."
Prosecutor Dwight Dickham has some stern words for Hank regarding the case. Despite the tough talk, Hank is not in the least bit shaken.
'Yeah' Is Not an Affirmation
Judge Joseph Palmer: "You're standing in one of the last great cathedrals in this country, built on the premise that you and you alone are responsible for the consequences of your actions. Do you have anything else to say for yourself?"
Defendant: "Yeah"
Hank Palmer: [whispering] "'Yeah' is not an affirmation…"
Judge Joseph Palmer: "'Yeah' is not an affirmation a man uses in court."
As Hank sits in the back of the courtroom in which his father presides, he already knows what is going to come out of his father's mouth. Just like clockwork, Hank is not wrong.
Grandpa Palmer's Dead to Me
Lauren Palmer: "So, grandpa Palmer's dead too?"
Hank Palmer: "No, grandpa Palmer's dead to me. It's like a figure of speech."
Lauren Palmer: "It sounds complicated. I should go with you."
Hank Palmer: "Trust me, nobody wants to go to Carlinville, Indiana."
Hank tries to explain his family dynamic to daughter Lauren. She nails it when she says things sound really complicated.
I'm Sure Your Mother Would Have Appreciated It
Judge Joseph Palmer: "Hank, thanks for coming. I'm sure your mother would have appreciated it."
When Hank arrives for his mother's funeral, his estranged father isn't especially welcoming. While Joseph does mention that his mother would have appreciated the visit, he admits no similar feelings.