It's an old Hollywood chestnut, of course - the drunken lawyer winning back his self-respect in a case that proves not as straightforward as everyone thought.

But under the guidance of such skilful manipulators of our emotions as director Sidney Lumet and star Paul Newman, and with the help of an immaculately-structured screenplay by David Mamet (later to write and direct 'House of Games'), this film plays fair and square with its audience and emerges as gripping, old-style entertainment.

James Mason is as smoothly persuasive as ever as Newman's courtroom opponent, but what really gives the film a lift is Newman's grip on the central character.

This piece of exemplary filmcraft, rather than 'The Color of Money', is surely the movie for which he should have won an Oscar.

You may catch a fleeting glimpse of Bruce Willis doing extra work among the courtroom spectators.