Judicial consent bonnie bedilia
The courtroom format relies heavily on fine-tuned dialogue and unanticipated revelations, but Bindley’s writing, specifically in the court sequences, is borderline banal and the disclosures made not particularly suspenseful. Realizing she’s been set up, Gwen begins a desperate race against time to prove her innocence.
Soon, what seemed “circumstantial” evidence turns out to be a well-planned and planted case, resulting with Gwen as the prime suspect. When Gwen’s roguish colleague, Charles Matron (Dabney Coleman), “a chronic flirt,” is found dead in his office, she’s asked to preside over his murder case.
Seemingly curious and sexually unfulfilled, one night she follows Martin (Billy Wirth), a sexy law clerk, into his office and a steamy affair evolves, though she knows nothing about him. Gwen Warwick (Bedelia) is a stern, accomplished criminal court judge, soon to be appointed to the Michigan State Supreme Court. As such, it’s best suited to the tube with good prospects on video. Its star, the graceful Bonnie Bedelia, does an honorable job, but the film’s “B” plot and its lack of sustained suspense make it just another generic item. Judicial Consent aspires to belong to the league of suspense thrillers about female lawyers, like Jagged Edge with Glenn Close or Cher’s vehicle, Suspect.