Defending a political activist charged with abetting suicide proves difficult for an altruistic lawyer in this drama that explores the idiosyncrasies of India's legal system. From very early on, it is implied that the activist has really been arrested because the government is tired of his politically dissenting folk songs; the "suicide" may have been death by misadventure since there was no suicide note, however, the judge has no interest in evidence contrary to the state's view and ignores bail pleas, despite the accused man's advanced age and ill health. Fascinating as this might sound, the film is undermined by the fact that less than half of the movie takes places in court. This is almost the polar opposite of the Israeli film 'Gett', also from 2014, which never left court. Even more perplexing is that the outside-court scenes focus on the judge, the lawyer, his relatives and everyone other than the defendant. Several court scenes are also dedicated to other defendants for seemingly little reason other than to paint the court as antiquated (one woman's case is not heard due to the clothes she is wearing). Rambling and unfocused as 'Court' may be due to this narrative decision, there are several potent moments along the way as legal hurdles pop up. The way the camera tends to linger in the courtroom after everybody has left is a nice touch too - and the film has one surefire awesome poster.
