All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
I had almost forgotten what a complete and utter circus the "trial of the century" was back in the day, how little the actual evidence mattered in the greater scheme of things, how you couldn't turn on the TV without seeing a hoard of pundits and so-called legal experts clawing for the spotlight.
Anyhoo, this show is friggin' amazing. It completely captures the absurdity of the whole situation, the prosecutors' ineptitude, the defenses' theatrics, the media frenzy, Marcia Clark's hair, the whole black v white situation, the LAPD (coming only a few years after Rodney King).
The show doesn't really take a firm stance on whether or not OJ did it, they sort of show how it was pretty obvious that he did it to begin with to maybe not so obvious in the end (although I'm convinced that he absolutely, 100% did it). It's very meticulous in its approach which is rather refreshing.
The acting is insane. Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark is phenomenal, as is Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran. Those two just steal the show constantly - as their characters did in real life. Travolta is good (almost comically good) as Shapiro. Hell, even David Schwimmer does a great job as the show's moral compass. Cuba Gooding Jr. does an interesting version of O.J. - can't really figure out if he's playing him guilty or innocent. Sterling K. Brown as Chris Darden is a little more difficult to get next to - a torn character, but well played.
Two thumbs up from me.
Down in the hole / Jesus tries to crack a smile / Beneath another shovel load
It'll be interesting. I live in L.A (worked downtown) and the trial was a zoo. l have my own opinion. I believe that the police framed a guilty man. There is no doubt that Furhman was a liar (really - went to OJ's house because he was fearful of OJ's safety??? Never used the N-word??, etc). The fact that the LAPD let cops present at the crime scene go to OJ's house where they could cross contaminate was a keystone cop like mistake at best and part of an evidence planting scheme at worst.
Yeah - he's guilty and yeah they framed him. The other truth is that he is in jail for murder. He got With no prior record (cough-couhg) 33 years for stealing back his own memorabilia. That Judge was obviously making up for the miscarriage in LA.
When I first saw the trailer for this show, I rolled my eyes and asked myself what's the angle. Here's what I learned - great show.
Let's start with Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran. There's a scene in the courtroom that made my jaw drop! He literally stealstheshow. Travolta is narcissistic and ethical. Schwimmer is unyielding and pathetic. Brown is heroic and a ticking-time-bomb.
Like sniper says - SPOILER - there's an episode that almost exclusively focuses on Marcia Clark's hair. And it's a really good episode. Paulson kills the role, and her small victories amongst her massive failures are totally worth it.
As for CGJr's OJ simpson... I didn't see that coming either. He portrays OJ exactly who we know him to be present day. I think that was an important writing choice, because it doesn't send us on some wild goose chase to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. It's a show that doesn't care about innocence or guilt... or OJ Simpson.
He got With no prior record (cough-couhg) 33 years for stealing back his own memorabilia. That Judge was obviously making up for the miscarriage in LA.
The primary offense for the 33 years was kidnapping, which generally carries a life sentence.
The primary offense for the 33 years was kidnapping, which generally carries a life sentence.
Yup - convicted of kidnapping because he said - "no one's leaving this room." Ironically, he wasn't armed yet he is the only one serving significant jail time (including those who were armed). Most of them received probation.
So in an abstract - yes - person convicted of kidnapping 33 years. I just don't believe you can look at this is an abstract. I simply find it implausible that the fact he wasn't properly punished for the murders did not play a part in the severity of the crimes charged and the resultant convictions. That being said, I am quite alright personally with him being in jail because I believe he is a murderer. Oh well.