Reversal of Fortune

1990

Action / Biography / Drama / Mystery

17
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 78% · 53 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 78% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 7.2/10 10 21101 21.1K

coma based on novel or book biography murder lawyer based on memoir or autobiography

Plot summary

Wealthy Sunny von Bülow lies brain-dead, husband Claus guilty of attempted murder; but he says he's innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.

Director

Barbet Schroeder Photo
Barbet Schroeder

Top cast

Stephen Mailer Photo
Stephen Mailer as Elon Dershowitz
Glenn Close Photo
Glenn Close as Sunny von Bulow
Annabella Sciorra Photo
Annabella Sciorra as Sarah
Uta Hagen Photo
Uta Hagen as Maria
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
1 GB
1280*682
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 51 min
Seeds 2
1.86 GB
1920*1024
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 51 min
Seeds 15

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by MichaelMargetis 7 / 10

"What do you give a wife that has everything? ..... (long pause).... a shot of insulin." - Claus Von Bulow

Barbet Schroeder's darkly comic murder mystery 'Reversal of Fortune' was actually better than I thought it would be. It surrounds a social climber Claus Von Bulow (Jeremy Irons - Lolita) who is Charged and convicted with the double counts of attempted murder on his obnoxious and drunken wife Sunny Von Bulow (Glenn Close - Fatal Attraction) with insulin. Claus needs a lawyer to appeal so he contacts a stereo-typical Jewish lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, played incredibly by Ron Silver. Alan takes on Claus' case even though he believes him to be guilty and Alan and his team try to prove him innocent. Glenn Close gives a small but engrossing performance in this as the not so sympathetic victim while Jeremy Irons steals the entire film with his creepy and neurotic yet brilliant and amazing performances as the could-be murderer Claus. The screenplay is really solid and although kind of predictable offers nice thrills and very dark humor. 'Reversal of Fortune' rightfully won Jeremy Irons the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. If you want something kind of out-there be sure to rent 'Reversal of Fortune' one of these days. Grade: B
Reviewed by MarieGabrielle 10 / 10

Cold, and cruel and the way of the world...

That is Sonny von Bulow's narrative as she describes the marriage between her and Claus, an infamous fortune seeker, who had made his way in the world the old fashioned way- he inherited it, by marriage.This is an intriguing story because it is based on truth, and both Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons give stellar performances. It is trite but true; money has not brought happiness to either of these people. Sonny has apparently led a life of depression, eating disorders, alcoholism and prescription drug abuse. Claus was probably no stranger to similar vices, as well as episodic infidelity. It may have been even more interesting had the screenplay delved into their earlier years, lifestyles in Europe and world travel, living a hedonistic life.In this case, murder is a nebulous concept. Claus von Bulow insists he is innocent, yet his many assertions to attorney Alan Dershowitz indicate otherwise. von Bulow is calculating, mysterious, and cold. Does this indicate guilt? The audience is never completely informed. That is what makes the story so real. As in real life, when murderers are set free, one may never know the truth. There is also a good side-story where Dershowitz is attempting to save two young black males from a death sentence. He does their case "pro bono", for the sake of justice, whereas von Bulow's case, as Dershowitz proclaims, is paying for their defense.Overall, this is a tragic story which leaves many grey areas, one wonders how the children, Alex and Alah have survived this debacle. Another viewpoint would be an interesting screenplay. 10/10.Dershowitz is portrayed by Ron Silver, who projects a realistic image.
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