Trial and Error
When lawyer Charlie is sent to a small Nevada town to file a continuance request for a client, his actor friend Richard turns up to throw a surprise bachelor party celebrating his upcoming marriage to the boss's daughter. When Charlie is too hung-over to make it to court for the hearing, Richard fills in, inadvertently committing felony fraud, and Charlie is left with no choice but to coach the clueless Richard through the whole trial.
Critics Sentiment
Benny Gibbs takes the stand for his own defense
Charlie screams at Judge Graff and gets banned
The film dips to its lowest point when Charlie loses control and gets banned from court, then recovers significantly during Benny's hilarious testimony sequence.
Trial and Error follows a predictable but pleasant arc, starting with modest setup that dips during some weaker plot contrivances before finding its comedic footing in the courtroom scenes. The film peaks during Rip Torn's testimony and Richards' closing argument, with consistent praise for the cast chemistry and Charlize Theron's performance throughout.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 21
Michael Richards
Richard Rietti
Jeff Daniels
Charles Tuttle
Charlize Theron
Billie Tyler
Jessica Steen
Elizabeth
Austin Pendleton
Judge Paul Z. Graff
Rip Torn
Benny Gibbs
Ali Wentworth
Tiffany
Jennifer Coolidge
Jacqueline
Lawrence Pressman
Whitfield
Dale Dye
Dr. Stone
Max Casella
Dr. Brown
McNally Sagal
Charles' Assistant
Kenneth White
Hank Crabbit
Keith Mills
Buck Norman
Zaid Farid
Bailiff
Rachel Winfree
Mrs. Sussex
Ken Magee
Clerk
Michelle Bonilla
Court Reporter
Mark Davenport
Eric
Kelly Perine
Kurt
Crew
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