Rating : 5/5
Reviewed by Webmaster
12 Angry Men is a film that challenges subjectivism through its lead character played by Henry Fonda who is, at the start, the only voice of reason amongs a sea of subjective whim in a murder trial jury. 11 of the jury consider the accused guilty - but they consider it for various reasons which have little to do with an objective evaluation of reality. Racism, prejudice against the poor and personal problems in the 11 other jurors reveal themselves via the story as the source of their unreasoning assumptions. Its a fascinating story and brilliantly acted by Fonda and Cobb in particular.
The Fonda character simply want to uncover the truth, to test the case properly. he has no preconceived notions - or more importnantly he does not let them dominate his rational judgement. His quiet confident perserverence is a pleasure to watch as it develops into a powerful rational conviction that the accused is not guilty. His refusal to be intimidated or distracted is admirable. Most striking is his value for reality - he simply does not consider reality to be subject to whim or compromise. This is as close to an objectivist character as I have seen.
