The Verdict’s plot is familiar. It follows a lonely, washed-up lawyer who subverts expectations by siding with the small guys and going against the big guys—in this case, a renowned hospital and its religious and political backers. Despite this, the film is gripping from start to end, thanks to a tight-knit script and the powerful performances that bring it to life. Newman is scarily believable as a panic-prone alcoholic, but the supporting cast is just as strong. The nurses, played by Lindsay Crouse and Julie Bovasso, are absolute scene stealers. You forget for a moment that these are actors—so palpable is their fear and anger. You feel for them, but The Verdict is never soapy or preachy. It’s taut and pragmatic, and even during its victorious moments, you can’t help but feel a little sad. Even when it reigns, justice is the exception, not the rule.

The sound design is perfect. The sad long ring of an unanswered phone and the fruitless heaves of a respirator…those are guaranteed to haunt you for a good while.