The Advocate's Devil

The Advocate's Devil is a 1997 legal thriller movie that centers around Kevin Taylor (Ken Olin), a successful defense attorney who is hired to represent a young woman named Melissa (Gina Philips) who has been accused of murdering her husband. Kevin takes the case despite skepticism from his colleagues and his wife, Jessica (Mariska Hargitay), who works as a prosecutor in the same district.

As Kevin delves deeper into Melissa's case, he realizes that there is more to it than meets the eye. He discovers that Melissa's husband was abusive towards her, and that there may be evidence that someone else was responsible for his death. However, when Kevin tries to present this evidence in court, he is met with resistance from the prosecution team and the judge, who seem determined to see Melissa convicted.

Throughout the movie, Kevin struggles not only with the legal complexities of the case, but also with personal demons that begin to surface. He starts to question whether he truly believes in his client's innocence or if he is just trying to win the case for his own personal gain. Meanwhile, his relationship with Jessica becomes strained as she becomes more and more emotionally invested in her own case against Melissa.

The Advocate's Devil is a tense and suspenseful movie that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. The performances by the lead actors are strong, with Ken Olin bringing depth and complexity to his portrayal of Kevin, and Mariska Hargitay delivering a nuanced performance as she struggles with the ethical dilemma of being a prosecutor married to a defense attorney.

The movie also touches on important themes related to domestic violence and the justice system's treatment of victims of abuse. It raises important questions about the role of defense attorneys and the extent to which they should be willing to go to defend their clients, while also exploring the toll that cases like these can take on the people involved.

Overall, The Advocate's Devil is a gripping and thought-provoking legal thriller that is well worth watching for fans of the genre. With solid performances and a compelling storyline, it is a movie that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.