First Monday in October

Amazon.com

Judicial debate gets a lively cinematic treatment in First Monday in October, starring the odd couple pairing of Walter Matthau and Jill Clayburgh. When a justice of the Supreme Court dies, his appointed replacement is a witty but deeply conservative woman, Ruth Loomis (Clayburgh, An Unmarried Woman, Silver Streak). Loomis immediately raises the hackles of Dan Snow (Matthau, The Bad News Bears, California Suite), a fervent liberal in the minority on the bench. For a while, First Monday in October succeeds in making Loomis and Snow's debates about pornography and censorship lucid and engaging, aided greatly by the actors' obvious intelligence and grasp of the issues. But the movie gets sidetracked by an aimless corporate conspiracy plot and what can only be described as an intellectual romance between the two leads, which never quite catches fire. Still, an interesting effort. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

soothing smart comedy.......2007-08-23

I've watched this movie on film, videotape and now finally on DVD. It's Matthau at his best as an old, crochety, witty supreme court justice who is forced to work with a woman for the first time. It holds up over the years and is one of those films you want to put on when you just want to forget the world, calm your nerves, and enjoy something that makes you feel good. The same for another Matthau movie "Hopscotch" which I'm waiting for on DVD. You'll enjoy this for sure.

First Monday in October.......2007-02-03

This title arrived in a timely fashion and was greatly enjoyed by my husband who loves the scene about the wallpaper. Thanks to Amazaon I was able to replace a lost item in his library.

See the Lysol Lady of Orange County.......2007-01-16

Long before Sandra Day O'Conner (In 1981 President Reagan appointed her to the U.S. Supreme Court) there was a play about the first woman on the Supreme Court.

This movie "First Monday in October" (1981) chronicles the potential problems of allowing such a radical act to happen. It involves momentum engines and cabals. This is a great supporting cast; try to remember where you saw them before.

Justice Dan Snow (Walter Matthau) and Justice Ruth Hagadorn Loomis (Jill Clayburgh) play off each other as they are politically polarized (not necessarily left vs. right) over several subjects. While banding around they come to realize that they have more in common personally than differences. The story shows how they learn from each other and cope with adversity. We have fun in the meantime watching the interaction.
Be sure to look for blue birds and cherry blossoms.

You may notice that we are also introduced to a large dose of Handle's Water Music. Most Walter Matthau chooses many classical pieces of music for his movies. This music was also played in the Charles and Camilla at the religious blessing.

Thoroughly Enjoyable........2007-01-10

First Monday in October is a delight to view. It is accurate in picturing the inside of the Supreme Court and it is true to life in many of it's characters and issues. Matthau's character uses strong language which is a little off-putting but it is consistent with the character he portrays. In a world which is experiencing the vanishing of an ability to appreciate true "characters" this film is a refreshing reminder that characters are the spice of our society and play a valuable role. Very funny as well as entertaining.

Realism vs. Hollywood.......2006-07-21

First I would comment about all the comments here about how false it is that a woman so young would be a Supreme Court Justice. This is a woman cast to be in her 40s, and historically this has happened a few times, even in modern times. Sandra Day Oconner was just about 50 when she was appointed, and the age range for a typical appointee is between about 45 - 60. Do your homework.

Next, to suggest that the Supreme Courst isn't like this shows a lack of real reading into their history. These ARE people who wheel and deal and change their minds and have personal agendas and political affiliations. Geez, to be nominated you don't even have to have been a judge!! So, theoretically this movie isn't too far off the mark.

Next, to understand the movie one has to have lived back in that time or read enough about it to understand history. You would understand that the conflict here was REAL, and was repeated not only in courts but throughout the work force and every other aspect of society. Shall we try to find a Catholic Preist who is a woman? Oh wait, in their original beliefs a woman is a lesser thing that a man and were not pure like a man is, hence the idea that a priest should be celabate.

I like the movie in that the characters are human, just like the Justices are, and it gives a pretty accurate view at how personal views affect decisions they make, and then also has some good comedy in it. Walter Matthau's acting performance in this movie is also excellent in my opinion.

It is worth the dime.

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