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| distributor = [[Warner Bros.]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros.]]
| released = {{Film date|1990|9|12|[[1990 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]|1990|10|17|Los Angeles|1990|10|19|United States}}
| released = {{Film date|1990|9|12|[[1990 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]|1990|10|19|United States}}
| runtime = 111 minutes
| runtime = 111 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
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}}
}}


'''''Reversal of Fortune''''' is a 1990 American drama film adapted from the 1985 book ''Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case'', written by law professor [[Alan Dershowitz]]. It recounts the true story of the unexplained [[coma]] of socialite [[Sunny von Bülow]], the subsequent [[attempted murder]] trial, and the eventual [[acquittal]] of her husband, [[Claus von Bülow]], who had Dershowitz as his defense attorney.<ref>''State v. von Bulow'', 475 A.2d 995 (R.I. 1984).</ref> The film was directed by [[Barbet Schroeder]] and stars [[Jeremy Irons]] as Claus, [[Glenn Close]] as Sunny, and [[Ron Silver]] as Dershowitz. Screenwriter [[Nicholas Kazan|Nick Kazan]] originally envisioned Austrian actor [[Klaus Maria Brandauer]] in the role of Claus von Bülow, but was thrilled with Irons' performance. Irons earned the 1990 [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for his performance in the film.
'''''Reversal of Fortune''''' is a 1990 American [[drama film]] directed by [[Barbet Schroeder]] that was adapted from the 1985 book ''Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case'', written by law professor [[Alan Dershowitz]]. It recounts the true story of the unexplained [[coma]] of socialite [[Sunny von Bülow]], the subsequent [[attempted murder]] trial, and the eventual [[acquittal]] of her husband, [[Claus von Bülow]], who had Dershowitz as his defense attorney.<ref>''State v. von Bulow'', 475 A.2d 995 (R.I. 1984).</ref> The film stars [[Jeremy Irons]] as Claus, [[Glenn Close]] as Sunny, and [[Ron Silver]] as Dershowitz. Screenwriter [[Nicholas Kazan|Nick Kazan]] originally envisioned Austrian actor [[Klaus Maria Brandauer]] in the role of Claus von Bülow but was thrilled with Irons' performance. Irons earned the 1990 [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for his performance in the film.


==Plot==
==Plot==
The story is narrated by [[Sunny von Bülow]], who is in a coma after falling into [[Diabetic coma|diabetic shock]] after a Christmas party. Her husband, the dissolute European aristocrat [[Claus von Bülow]], is charged with attempting to murder the [[hypoglycemia|hypoglycemic]] Sunny by giving her an overdose of [[insulin]]. Claus's strained relationship with his wife and his cold and haughty personal demeanor led most people to conclude that he is guilty. In need of an innovative defense, Claus turns to law professor [[Alan Dershowitz]]. Dershowitz is initially convinced of Claus's guilt, but takes the case because von Bülow agrees to fund Dershowitz's defense of two poor black boys accused of capital murder. Employing his law students as workers, Dershowitz proceeds to defend Claus, wrestling with his client's unnerving personal style and questions of von Bülow's guilt or innocence.
The story is narrated by [[Sunny von Bülow]], who is in a coma after falling into [[Diabetic coma|diabetic shock]] after a Christmas party. Her husband, the dissolute European aristocrat [[Claus von Bülow]], is charged with attempting to murder the [[hypoglycemia|hypoglycemic]] Sunny by giving her an overdose of [[insulin]]. Claus's strained relationship with his wife and his cold and haughty personal demeanor lead most people to conclude that he is guilty. In need of an innovative defense, Claus turns to law professor [[Alan Dershowitz]]. Dershowitz is initially convinced of Claus's guilt but takes the case because von Bülow agrees to fund Dershowitz's defense of two poor black boys accused of capital murder. Employing his law students as workers, Dershowitz proceeds to defend Claus, wrestling with his client's unnerving personal style and questions of von Bülow's guilt or innocence.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
{{castlist|
{{div col}}
*[[Glenn Close]] as [[Sunny von Bülow]]
*[[Glenn Close]] as [[Sunny von Bülow]]
*[[Jeremy Irons]] as [[Claus von Bülow]]
*[[Jeremy Irons]] as [[Claus von Bülow]]
*[[Ron Silver]] as [[Alan Dershowitz]]
*[[Ron Silver]] as [[Alan Dershowitz]]
⚫
*[[Uta Hagen]] as Maria
*[[Annabella Sciorra]] as Sarah
*[[Annabella Sciorra]] as Sarah
*[[Fisher Stevens]] as David Marriott
*[[Fisher Stevens]] as David Marriott
⚫
*[[Uta Hagen]] as Maria
*[[Jack Gilpin]] as Peter MacIntosh
*[[Jack Gilpin]] as Peter MacIntosh
*[[Christine Baranski]] as Andrea Reynolds
*[[Christine Baranski]] as Andrea Reynolds
Line 55: Line 55:
*[[Mitchell Whitfield]] as Curly
*[[Mitchell Whitfield]] as Curly
*[[Tom Wright (actor)|Tom Wright]] as Jack
*[[Tom Wright (actor)|Tom Wright]] as Jack
*[[Michael Lord]] as Ed
*[[Michael Lord (actor)|Michael Lord]] as Ed
*[[Lisa Gay Hamilton]] as Mary
*[[Lisa Gay Hamilton]] as Mary
*[[Julie Hagerty]] as [[Alexandra Isles]]
*[[Julie Hagerty]] as [[Alexandra Isles]]
*[[Bill Camp]] as Bill
*[[Bill Camp]] as Bill
*Mano Singh as Raj
*Mano Singh as Raj
}}
{{div col end}}


==Production==
==Production==
The film was shot in numerous estates in [[Rhode Island]] and [[New Jersey]], and the Knole house in [[Old Westbury, New York|Old Westbury]]. At least one courtroom scene was shot at the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department in Brooklyn, New York.
The film was shot in numerous estates in [[Rhode Island]] and [[New Jersey]], and the Knole house in [[Old Westbury]], New York. At least one courtroom scene was shot at the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department in Brooklyn, New York.

Despite the fact that the house where the facts happened was [[Clarendon Court]], as also mentioned in dialogue, the establishing shot intentionally avoids the house and ends instead with a view of [[The Breakers]], another grandiose property nearby built for [[Cornelius Vanderbilt II]].


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
The film received mostly positive reviews and holds a 92% approval rating at [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with an average score of 7.9/10 from 51 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Featuring exceptional performances and a cunning script, ''Reversal of Fortune'' doubles as a tantalizing mystery and ruthless satire of the rich."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reversal_of_fortune/|title=Reversal of Fortune (1990)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref>
The film received mostly positive reviews and holds a 92% approval rating at [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with an average score of 7.9/10 from 51 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Featuring exceptional performances and a cunning script, ''Reversal of Fortune'' doubles as a tantalizing mystery and ruthless satire of the rich."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reversal_of_fortune/|title=Reversal of Fortune (1990)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref> It has a score of 93 on Metacritic with 18 reviews <ref>{{Cite web |title=Reversal of Fortune |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/reversal-of-fortune/ |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref>


⚫
=== Accolades ===
''Reversal of Fortune'' was discussed on a 2020 episode of the podcast ''[[Chapo Trap House]]'', with the team noting the parallels between [[Claus von Bülow]] being accused of murdering his wife and the mysterious suicide of [[Alan Dershowitz]]'s first wife Sue Barlach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/chapo-trap-house/446-reversal-of-alan-81720|title=446 - Reversal of Alan (8/17/20)|via=soundcloud.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1289402408230035462|user=JimSinglet|title=@garwoodgal @jkbjournalist His...|date=1 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2019/07/30/5-surprising-details-from-that-new-yorker-alan-dershowitz-profile/|title=5 Surprising Details From That 'New Yorker' Alan Dershowitz Profile|first=Lisette|last=Voytko|website=Forbes}}</ref>

⚫
== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
Line 77: Line 77:
! Nominee(s)
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Result
! Ref.
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| 20/20 Awards
| rowspan="3"| [[63rd Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| Best Actor
| [[Jeremy Irons]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Actress
| [[Glenn Close]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Adapted Screenplay
| [[Nicholas Kazan]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[63rd Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]<ref name="Oscars1991">{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991 |title=The 63rd Academy Awards (1991) Nominees and Winners |access-date=12 September 2015|work=oscars.org}}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[Barbet Schroeder]]
| [[Barbet Schroeder]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991 |title=The 63rd Academy Awards (1991) Nominees and Winners |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=October 20, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020005240/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991 |archive-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jeremy Irons
| [[Jeremy Irons]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium]]
| Nicholas Kazan
| [[Nicholas Kazan]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Casting Society of America#Artios Awards|Artios Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/1991 |title=Nominees/Winners |publisher=[[Casting Society of America]] |accessdate= January 6, 2019}}</ref>
| [[Casting Society of America#Artios Awards|Artios Awards]]
| [[Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Big Budget Feature (Drama)|Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Casting – Drama]]
| [[Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Big Budget Feature (Drama)|Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Casting – Drama]]
| Howard Feuer
| Howard Feuer
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/1991 |title=Nominees/Winners |publisher=[[Casting Society of America]] |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 1990|Boston Society of Film Critics Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bostonfilmcritics.org/past-winners-1990s/ |title=BSFC Winners: 1990s |website=[[Boston Society of Film Critics]] |date=27 July 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 1990|Boston Society of Film Critics Awards]]
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jeremy Irons
| Jeremy Irons
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
⚫
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://bostonfilmcritics.org/past-winners-1990s/ |title=BSFC Winners: 1990s |publisher=[[Boston Society of Film Critics]] |date=July 27, 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
Line 118: Line 109:
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1990|Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives |title=1988-2013 Award Winner Archives |website=[[Chicago Film Critics Association]] |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1990|Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jeremy Irons
| Jeremy Irons
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives |title=1988-2013 Award Winner Archives |publisher=[[Chicago Film Critics Association]] |date=January 1, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association|Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association|Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"|
|-
|-
| [[David di Donatello|David di Donatello Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.daviddidonatello.it/storia/cronologia.php |title=Cronologia Dei Premi David Di Donatello |work=[[David di Donatello]] |access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref>
| [[David di Donatello|David di Donatello Awards]]
| [[David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor|Best Foreign Actor]]
| [[David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor|Best Foreign Actor]]
| Jeremy Irons
| Jeremy Irons
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.daviddidonatello.it/storia/cronologia.php |title=Cronologia Dei Premi David Di Donatello |publisher=[[David di Donatello]] |access-date=June 27, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[48th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/reversal-fortune |title=Reversal of Fortune – Golden Globes |website=[[HFPA]] |access-date=July 28, 2021 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|1991}}}}</ref>
| rowspan="4"| [[48th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="4"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/reversal-fortune/ |title=Reversal of Fortune |publisher=[[Golden Globe Awards]] |access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama|Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| Jeremy Irons
| Jeremy Irons
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
Line 148: Line 143:
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Kansas City Film Critics Circle|Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards]]
⚫
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kcfcc.org/kcfcc-award-winners-1990-99/ |title=KCFCC Award Winners – 1990-99 |website=kcfcc.org |date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Actor
| Best Actor
| rowspan="2"| Jeremy Irons
| rowspan="2"| Jeremy Irons
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://kcfcc.org/kcfcc-award-winners-1990-99/ |title=KCFCC Award Winners – 1990-99 |publisher=[[Kansas City Film Critics Circle]] |date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[1990 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lafca.net/Years/1990.php |title=The 16th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards |website=[[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| [[1990 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lafca.net/Years/1990.php |title=The 16th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards |publisher=[[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
Line 165: Line 162:
| [[Luciano Tovoli]]
| [[Luciano Tovoli]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"|
|-
|-
| [[National Board of Review Awards 1990|National Board of Review Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1990/ |title=1990 Award Winners |website=[[National Board of Review]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| [[National Board of Review Awards 1990|National Board of Review Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Board of Review: Top Ten Films|Top Ten Films]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Board of Review: Top Ten Films|Top Ten Films]]
| {{draw|5th Place}}
| {{draw|5th Place}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1990/ |title=1990 Award Winners |publisher=[[National Board of Review]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[1990 National Society of Film Critics Awards|National Society of Film Critics Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalsocietyoffilmcritics.com/about-2/ |title=Past Awards |website=[[National Society of Film Critics]] |date=December 19, 2009 |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| [[1990 National Society of Film Critics Awards|National Society of Film Critics Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{draw|3rd Place}}
| {{draw|3rd Place}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalsocietyoffilmcritics.com/about-2/ |title=Past Awards |publisher=[[National Society of Film Critics]] |date=December 19, 2009 |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
Line 178: Line 178:
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[1990 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|New York Film Critics Circle Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nyfcc.com/awards/?awardyear=1990 |title=1990 New York Film Critics Circle Awards |website=[[New York Film Critics Circle]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan="3"| [[1990 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|New York Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| colspan="2"| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{Runner-up}}
| {{Runner-up}}
| align="center" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nyfcc.com/awards/?awardyear=1990 |title=1990 New York Film Critics Circle Awards |publisher=[[New York Film Critics Circle]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
Line 194: Line 195:
| Nicholas Kazan
| Nicholas Kazan
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| align="center"|
|-
|-
| Political Film Society Awards
| Political Film Society Awards
| colspan="2"| [[Political Film Society Award for Exposé|Exposé]]
| colspan="2"| [[Political Film Society Award for Exposé|Exposé]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"|
|-
|-
| [[43rd Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551 |title=Awards Winners |website=Writers Guild of America |archiveurl=https://archive.today/VDl7 |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2010}}</ref>
| [[43rd Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium]]
| Nicholas Kazan
| Nicholas Kazan
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551 |title=Awards Winners |publisher=[[Writers Guild of America Awards]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205095022/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551 |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
|}


In 2015, the 25th anniversary of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named ''Reversal of Fortune'' on its list of the 25 best films of the past 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=EW's 25 Best Movies in 25 Years|url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/25-best-movies-25-years|work=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref>
In 2015, the 25th anniversary of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named ''Reversal of Fortune'' on its list of the 25 best films of the past 25 years.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=EW's 25 Best Movies in 25 Years|url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/25-best-movies-25-years|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref>


The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
Line 218: Line 222:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2015}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Reversal Of Fortune}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reversal Of Fortune}}
[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:1990 films]]
⚫
[[Category:1990 drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s biographical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s biographical drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:Alan Dershowitz]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American courtroom films]]
[[Category:American courtroom films]]
⚫
[[Category:English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:Films about lawyers]]
[[Category:American films based on actual events]]
[[Category:American films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Films about lawyers]]
[[Category:Films based on non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Films based on non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Films directed by Barbet Schroeder]]
[[Category:Films directed by Barbet Schroeder]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mark Isham]]
[[Category:Films set in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Films set in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Nicholas Kazan]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mark Isham]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:1990 drama films]]

Latest revision as of 06:15, 26 December 2024

For other uses, see Reversal of Fortune (disambiguation).
Reversal of Fortune
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBarbet Schroeder
Screenplay byNicholas Kazan
Based onReversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case
by Alan Dershowitz
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLuciano Tovoli
Edited byLee Percy
Music byMark Isham
Production
companies
  • Reversal Films, Inc.
  • Sovereign Pictures
  • Shochiku Fuji Co. Ltd.
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release dates
  • September 12, 1990 (1990-09-12) (TIFF)
  • October 19, 1990 (1990-10-19) (United States)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$15.4 million

Reversal of Fortune is a 1990 American drama film directed by Barbet Schroeder that was adapted from the 1985 book Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case, written by law professor Alan Dershowitz. It recounts the true story of the unexplained coma of socialite Sunny von Bülow, the subsequent attempted murder trial, and the eventual acquittal of her husband, Claus von Bülow, who had Dershowitz as his defense attorney.[1] The film stars Jeremy Irons as Claus, Glenn Close as Sunny, and Ron Silver as Dershowitz. Screenwriter Nick Kazan originally envisioned Austrian actor Klaus Maria Brandauer in the role of Claus von Bülow but was thrilled with Irons' performance. Irons earned the 1990 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film.

Plot

[edit]

The story is narrated by Sunny von Bülow, who is in a coma after falling into diabetic shock after a Christmas party. Her husband, the dissolute European aristocrat Claus von Bülow, is charged with attempting to murder the hypoglycemic Sunny by giving her an overdose of insulin. Claus's strained relationship with his wife and his cold and haughty personal demeanor lead most people to conclude that he is guilty. In need of an innovative defense, Claus turns to law professor Alan Dershowitz. Dershowitz is initially convinced of Claus's guilt but takes the case because von Bülow agrees to fund Dershowitz's defense of two poor black boys accused of capital murder. Employing his law students as workers, Dershowitz proceeds to defend Claus, wrestling with his client's unnerving personal style and questions of von Bülow's guilt or innocence.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was shot in numerous estates in Rhode Island and New Jersey, and the Knole house in Old Westbury, New York. At least one courtroom scene was shot at the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department in Brooklyn, New York.

Despite the fact that the house where the facts happened was Clarendon Court, as also mentioned in dialogue, the establishing shot intentionally avoids the house and ends instead with a view of The Breakers, another grandiose property nearby built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II.

Reception

[edit]

The film received mostly positive reviews and holds a 92% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 7.9/10 from 51 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Featuring exceptional performances and a cunning script, Reversal of Fortune doubles as a tantalizing mystery and ruthless satire of the rich."[2] It has a score of 93 on Metacritic with 18 reviews [3]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards Best Director Barbet Schroeder Nominated [4]
Best Actor Jeremy Irons Won
Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Nicholas Kazan Nominated
Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Casting – Drama Howard Feuer Nominated [5]
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Best Actor Jeremy Irons Won [6]
Best Screenplay Nicholas Kazan Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Best Actor Jeremy Irons Won [7]
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards Best Film Nominated
David di Donatello Awards Best Foreign Actor Jeremy Irons Won [8]
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Drama Nominated [9]
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Jeremy Irons Won
Best Director – Motion Picture Barbet Schroeder Nominated
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture Nicholas Kazan Nominated
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards Best Actor Jeremy Irons Won [10]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Best Actor Won [11]
Best Screenplay Nicholas Kazan Won
Nastro d'Argento Best Cinematography Luciano Tovoli Nominated
National Board of Review Awards Top Ten Films 5th Place [12]
National Society of Film Critics Awards Best Film 3rd Place [13]
Best Actor Jeremy Irons Won
New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Film Runner-up [14]
Best Director Barbet Schroeder Nominated
Best Actor Jeremy Irons Runner-up
PEN Center USA West Literary Awards Best Screenplay Nicholas Kazan Won
Political Film Society Awards Exposé Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Nicholas Kazan Nominated [15]

In 2015, the 25th anniversary of Entertainment Weekly named Reversal of Fortune on its list of the 25 best films of the past 25 years.[16]

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ State v. von Bulow, 475 A.2d 995 (R.I. 1984).
  2. ^ "Reversal of Fortune (1990)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Reversal of Fortune". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  4. ^ "The 63rd Academy Awards (1991) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  5. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Casting Society of America. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "BSFC Winners: 1990s". Boston Society of Film Critics. July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "1988-2013 Award Winner Archives". Chicago Film Critics Association. January 1, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "Cronologia Dei Premi David Di Donatello". David di Donatello. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  9. ^ "Reversal of Fortune". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  10. ^ "KCFCC Award Winners – 1990-99". Kansas City Film Critics Circle. December 14, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  11. ^ "The 16th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards". Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  12. ^ "1990 Award Winners". National Board of Review. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "Past Awards". National Society of Film Critics. December 19, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "1990 New York Film Critics Circle Awards". New York Film Critics Circle. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Awards Winners". Writers Guild of America Awards. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  16. ^ "EW's 25 Best Movies in 25 Years". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  17. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  18. ^ "AFI's 10 Top 10 Nominees" (PDF). 16 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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