The Devils Advocate

Details

Kevin Lomax is a Florida defence attorney with a flawless winning streak and an ego to match. When a powerful New York law firm offers him money, prestige and the opportunity of a lifetime, he doesn't hesitate. Manhattan awaits - gleaming skyscrapers, unlimited expense accounts and cases that can make or break reputations.

Under the mentorship of the charismatic and unsettling John Milton, Kevin's ascent is rapid. The cases grow darker, the moral compromises deeper and the rewards richer. Meanwhile, his wife Mary Ann struggles to adapt to their new life. Isolated in a vast apartment and surrounded by strangers, she begins to see things that shouldn't exist - figures in mirrors, faces that change, whispers in empty rooms.

The brilliance of the film lies in its slow burn. This isn't immediate demonic possession or explosive horror; it's temptation, ambition and pride. Kevin isn't forced into evil - he chooses it, one small step at a time. By the time the supernatural elements fully reveal themselves, the groundwork has been carefully laid.

Keanu Reeves delivers a solid performance, although his southern accent does appear to take the occasional coffee break. Charlize Theron provides the emotional weight of the film, portraying Mary Ann's psychological decline with increasing fragility. But make no mistake - this is Al Pacino's playground. As John Milton, he relishes every line, balancing charm, menace and full-throttle theatricality. When Pacino finally lets loose in the final act, it's truly glorious and oh-so Pacino.

Picture & Sound

The only real disappointment lies in the picture quality. For a film of this scale, the transfer can be surprisingly grainy, and outlining around characters is occasionally visible. Dark scenes in particular reveal noticeable artifacting, which suggests less-than-perfect digital processing. It's by no means unwatchable, but it falls short of reference quality.

The Dolby Digital soundtrack is serviceable rather than spectacular. Much of the dialogue remains anchored in the centre channel, with limited use of the surrounds until the climactic final act. When the supernatural elements intensify, the mix finally opens up - but for much of the running time it remains restrained.

Menu & Extras

For an early Warner release, the disc is surprisingly well stocked. The animated menus are stylish, though arguably a little too revealing about the film's themes. The standout extra is the feature-length commentary by director Taylor Hackford. Informative, passionate and impressively uninterrupted, Hackford talks for nearly the entire running time. By the closing credits you almost expect to hear him reaching for a glass of water.

The deleted scenes are substantial and accompanied by further commentary explaining their removal. It's refreshing to hear a director justify edits rather than simply pad out the disc.

Overall

At its heart, The Devil's Advocate is less about Satan and more about vanity, greed and free will. It's a courtroom drama wrapped in theological horror, anchored by Pacino's larger-than-life performance and a finale that embraces its operatic absurdity without apology.

It may not be flawless, and the transfer could certainly be better, but as a late-90s morality thriller it remains gripping, stylish and unapologetically bold. And when Pacino declares that vanity is his favourite sin, it's hard not to agree - at least for two hours.

Special features

• Feature Length Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford
• 30 Minutes of Deleted Scenes
• Production Notes
• Five Theatrical Trailers
• Two Television Spots