The Devil's Advocate (1997) - Jonathan Lemkin - Andrew Neiderman

April 12, 1992

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

Screenplay by Jonathan Lemkin, Novel by Andrew Neiderman

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

KEVIN TAYLOR is an ambitious, hard-working, litigator working for a firm in upstate New York. By cleverly questioning a 10 year old girl, he gains an acquittal for a teacher suspected of child molesting. Afterwards, Kevin is approached by PAUL SCHOFELD, a lawyer with Milton and Associates, a large N.Y.C. firm. Schofeld offers Kevin a job with the firm at three times his salary. First, Kevin goes to his own firm and asks for a partnership. When he is refused, he takes the job offer.

Kevin and his wife, MARY ANN, move to a luxurious apartment in Manhattan. The previous tenant was a lawyer with the firm who killed himself. All the lawyers in the firm live in the building and the head of the firm, JOHN MILTON, occupies the penthouse. Milton is a father-figure who quotes the classics and the Bible. His wealthy firm represents filthy rich clients who have gotten themselves into trouble. His firm never loses and they never settle out of court. Milton reconciles his firm's lack of conscience by performing a few token good deeds. Kevin is assigned a pro bono case where a SANTERO PRIEST is accused of violating a health ordinance when he slaughtered some live animals during a religious ceremony. Kevin goes to work. He gets the Priest off. Kevin is rewarded with a bigger case. Wealthy DESMOND CULLEN is accused of killing his wife, his maid, and his child, but he explains that he was screwing his secretary MELISSA while the murders occurred. As Kevin investigates the case, he finds out that Melissa is a lesbian. Despite feelings of conscience, Kevin gets Desmond acquitted. Racked with guilt, Kevin starts to see demons everywhere. Schofeld's estranged wife, HELEN, is hospitalized for her erratic behavior. Kevin confronts her and she confesses she see the demons also. She kills herself. Kevin tries to talk with his old friends and they are mysteriously killed. Kevin returns home to find his wife under Milton's spell. Kevin confronts Milton who admits to being the devil who is promoting evil in the world. Kevin demands his life back. Kevin kills Milton's body, defeating the devil. Kevin goes to work as a lawyer for the poor.

Summary Criticism: Although this plot line sounds a bit outlandish, this is actually an engaging and timely script for the post-80's cinema. It's JACOB’S LADDER meets ROSEMARY’S BABY.

The Devil's Advocate (1997) - Jonathan Lemkin - Andrew Neiderman - imdb

The Devil's Advocate (1997) - Jonathan Lemkin - Andrew Neiderman - wiki