The Judge

Ben Caldwell, a high-powered defense attorney from Chicago, returns to his humble hometown of Mason, Indiana, after receiving a call about the unexpected passing of his mother. The sudden news brings Ben back to the place where he once knew happiness, and where his family had a seemingly perfect picture book facade. As he arrives in Mason, he is overwhelmed by the familiar yet alien surroundings of the town where his childhood took place. He quickly gets caught up in the town's grieving atmosphere as he prepares for his mother's funeral. His relationship with his mother, however, wasn't as perfect as his family's image would have everyone believe. His father, the judge, a stern and respected figure in Mason, had always been in disagreement with Ben's mother over their personal values and their differing ambitions in life for Ben. Their disagreements had ultimately led to Ben's estrangement from his family. Upon his return, Ben reunites with his sister, Joan, who is still living in Mason. Through her, Ben learns that their father, Joe, is in trouble. He is suspected of causing the death of a young man, Derek Hastings, whose car crashed into a tree while driving erratically under the influence of alcohol. Joe, as the judge and a strict enforcer of laws, had been known for his unyielding stance against driving under the influence. Ben finds it peculiar that his father's actions, which many considered unjust, may have ultimately led to a fatal encounter with the victim. Ben decides to return to Chicago without attending his mother's funeral, unable to bear the thought of facing his family in this difficult and painful moment for them. However, he is soon pulled back to Mason when his boss and a potential partner, who also happens to be the state attorney, asks for his assistance in handling the case involving Joe. As tensions between Ben and his father rise, their long-standing relationship is put to the test. With his skills as a defense attorney put to work for his father, a conflict of interest arises given their troubled past. Their estrangement deepens with Ben trying to navigate their complicated family dynamics while handling his father's high-profile case. Ben also comes to learn that Derek had been driving under the influence at the time of the accident because his family's insurance company was about to drop him due to several previous incidents. Through his work, Ben discovers inconsistencies in the official investigation report and comes across clues pointing to a more likely explanation - that the accident had not been an accident after all. It seems Derek's driving had been caused by a third party trying to kill him by tampering with his car. The motive behind the attempted murder is a mystery, but Ben, driven by a desire to clear his family's name, sets out to unravel the truth. As Ben digs deeper, his relationships with the people of Mason begin to fray. They struggle to understand why he, an outsider, is trying to defend the judge. His work puts him at odds with the town's sheriff, and the state attorney from Chicago who assigned him to the case. However, his resolve is strengthened by his love for his mother's memory and his family's reputation. The more he learns, the more he becomes convinced that the judge is indeed innocent and that the truth of the accident and the murder attempt is far more sinister than anyone in Mason had suspected. The film's climax arrives when Ben pieces together the evidence gathered over the course of his investigation and unmasks the person responsible for the attempted murder. With his discovery, the truth surrounding the events comes to light, freeing Joe, the judge, of the charges pressed against him. Ben's act of defending his father also brings about a reconciliation between them, bridging the gap of their estrangement and helping Ben to find closure. Ultimately, the film ends with Ben returning to Chicago, no longer the outsider, having reconnected with his past and his family, but also having rediscovered his sense of self and his values. The journey that began with a funeral and a return to his hometown ends with Ben, having accepted and reconciled with his complicated family history, ready to move forward with newfound appreciation for his roots and his family.