Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

When it comes to B (why B? B for boring, bland, banal, busty, what?) movies, it’s important to judge them for what they are. They aren’t trying to be Ghandi, and really shouldn’t be judged by the same standards. When I see a clearly B movie, I try and figure out just where it falls on that scale. In other words, how good a B movie is it? Judicial Consent is most definitely a B movie, which I define as a movie that meets any of the following criteria: a) was released directly to video b) was made for TV or c) prominently features any actor who has appeared on Celebrity Fear Factor. As a made for TV film, you can see that Judicial Consent fits the criteria nicely.

A 1994 release, now available on VHS, Judicial Consent stars Bonnie Bedelia (from here on out, starring Bonnie Bedelia, if made after 1992, automatically qualifies a movie for B status) as Detroit Circuit Court Judge Gwen Warwick. Newly tapped for a position as the a State Justice, Gwen has only to get through her confirmation hearings, which, she is told by friend and mentor John Pollen (Kevin McCarthy), will be a breeze.

Gwen is married to Allen (Will Patton) who is surly, sullen and clearly not a happy guy. She is also good friends with Charles Mayron (Dabney Coleman) who has made no secret that he wants badly to get in Gwen’s pants. She treats this as a lark, since Mayron is a notorious flirt. We learn in the initial scenes of the film that on Gwen’s very first case as a judge she handed down the death penalty and it was carried out. She is not soft, or afraid to use the authority with which she has been entrusted.

She is, however, a damn fool, as are most TV movie heroines, so you can hardly fault her for following the formula. She gets herself involved with a cute young library clerk (Billy Wirth) and manages to enrage her husband enough to cause her to flee (I like to think of this as the “no one can protect her”* aspect to most TV thrillers – a smart woman hunted by brutal men – Aaaagh! No one can protect her!). She soon enough finds herself embroiled in one last Circuit Court murder trial, one where she has clear conflicts of interest. Gwen must untangle her self made web before her career and life are irreparably harmed. Although implausible plot twists and remarkably imbecilic character behavior (Gwen wears high heels everywhere, even after it’s clear that no one can protect her) abound, there is still some fun to be had here. One must be absolutely willing to put their innate habit of making rude and snarky comments directly to the characters firmly on the shelf if they expect to enjoy this movie.

If the viewer is able to take these steps, this is a fairly enjoyable little legal thriller. The performances by the principle players are quite adequate. They manage to convey the appropriate amounts of fear and confusion, as well as an occasional spark of intelligence. Writer/director William Bindley has put together the kind of movie that Court TV was made for. It serves up some surprises following a somewhat plodding set up, and has a fairly exciting, albeit completely predictable, conclusion. The score and photography are exactly what you would expect, a bit overblown, but not to an offensive degree. Overall, Judicial Consent is not a bad entry into the B movie thriller category. Probably worth the few bucks for a rental on a rainy day, but try and catch it on cable if you can. A good choice to watch while soaking your feet, or brushing the cat, or some other mindless task that could use a little cinematic accompaniment. And don’t forget now, when it comes to the TV movie thriller……….No one can protect her!






*No One Could Protect Her is the actual title of a TV thriller from 1996. If memory serves, it stars Joanna Kerns. I’m pretty sure no one protected her.


Recommended: Yes