Watch The Paper Chase

The Paper Chase is a drama film from 1973 directed by James Bridges, based on the novel of the same name by John Jay Osborn Jr. The movie stars Timothy Bottoms as a Harvard Law School student named James Hart, Lindsay Wagner as Susan Fields, a love interest of James, and John Houseman as the tough professor Kingsfield who lectures his students on the law.

The movie opens with James Hart arriving at Harvard Law School, where he is determined to excel and become successful. He is immediately intimidated by the demanding curriculum and the high expectations of his professors. Among them is Kingsfield, a stern and respected educator who challenges his students to think critically and master the law.

James struggles to keep up with the rigorous workload of law school, but he is determined to succeed. He spends endless hours studying and preparing for the next lecture, hoping to impress his professors and earn top grades. Along the way, he meets Susan Fields, a confident and intelligent woman who shares his passion for the law. The two quickly become friends and eventually develop a romantic relationship.

As the school year progresses, James becomes increasingly frustrated with Kingsfield's teaching style. He finds the professor condescending and dismissive, making him feel inadequate despite his hard work. James and his classmates form study groups to help each other understand the material and prepare for exams. However, Kingsfield insists that his students rely solely on their own abilities and reject any assistance from others.

The tension between James and Kingsfield eventually comes to a head. When James fails a mock exam, Kingsfield becomes more critical than ever before. James begins to question if his dreams of a successful legal career are worth the immense pressure and constant criticism he faces. Susan tries to support him but can't seem to persuade him to give up his goals.

One day, Kingsfield invites James and Susan to his home for dinner. There, they meet Kingsfield's wife and see a different side of the professor. They realize that he is not just a tough teacher, but a caring and respected member of the legal community. This dinner helps James put his struggles in perspective and he begins to understand the importance of the lessons Kingsfield is trying to teach him.

The film ends with James graduating from Harvard Law School, but not without some drama. He finally understands what Kingsfield truly wanted him to learn, but he is not sure if he is ready for the new world of lawyers and judges that awaits.

The Paper Chase is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that explores the difficulties and pressures of law school. The movie brilliantly presents the audience with the idea of doing the right thing and not the easy thing. The cast delivers a strong performance, especially John Houseman, whose portrayal of Kingsfield won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Overall, The Paper Chase is a powerful and memorable movie that is still relevant and engaging today.

The Paper Chase is a 1973 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 65.