Fridae

Anyone well-versed in Hollywood's history would have heard of Sidney
Lumet. Although he may not be as famous as his hit-making contemporaries
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Sidney is highly regarded among
audiences and critics as an insightful commentator of American society
and politics. His long and illustrious career produced such sterling
dramas as Network (1976), Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
and The Verdict (1982).

Admittedly, Sidney has not had a hit for some years now. His latest
is a courtroom comedy is based on an actual trial that took place
in 1987. It stars Vin Diesel as a mobster on trial for various charges,
but who chooses to defend himself in court without an attorney.
Hilarity arises from his ignorance of court rituals and comical
questioning of the witnesses. Of course, like all comedies, the
ending is a happy one.

The film is well-crafted, but Vin Diesel is the wrong choice for
the role. As an actor, he is prone to posturing and grandstanding.
Some might argue that that's just what's needed for the role, but
there does come a point when you stop caring for this vainglorious
character and actor. Fortunately, Vin Diesel is surrounded by an
excellent supporting cast: Annabella Sciorra as his sexy long-suffering
wife, Linus Roache as the prosecuting attorney, and Joel Silver
as the judge all shine.

Find Me Guilty offers occasional laughs and pleasures.
None of these, however, is the direct result of Vin Diesel's performance.