Music Box

PG-13

Released Dec 22, 1989

2h 3m

Drama

List

75%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

76%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

Attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) leads the defense of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl). But this isn't just another case for her -- Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he's innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father's past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Amazingly, director Costa-Gavras and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas navigate these perilous waters smoothly.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 12, 2013

Full Review

BBC.com

Rated: 3/5

Apr 17, 2001

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

What I particularly disliked about Music Box is that it takes the easy way out. It is not about guilt or innocence; it is a courtroom thriller, with all of the usual automatic devices like last-minute evidence and surprise witnesses.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

A brilliant little box of surprises. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 2, 2022

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a better-than-average courtroom thriller...

Rated: 3/4

Dec 16, 2021

Full Review

Ryan Murphy

Miami Herald

[Jessica] Lange without angst is like Tyson without punch. She's the era's Sarah Bernhardt, a tragedienne with soignee soul. In Music Box... Lange is at her furrowed-brow best.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 17, 2021

Full Review

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Alec B

A movie I wished I liked more. It's final twist feels cheap and unearned.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Lange is working as a defense attorney - and her client is her father. He's accused of gruesome war crimes. And Lange is convinced of his innocence until she really journeys to find the truth.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

Full Review

robert w

One of the best performance i have seen by Jessica Lange. Storyline was excellent where i enjoyed all the performance. Armin Mueller-Stahl was brilliant and he should also have been nominated for this role as supporting actor. This was a well deserved Oscar nominated in the best acting category for Jessica Lange and i was pulling for her to win. Loved this movie but it almost impossible to find anywhere to stream whether purchase or not. One of my all time best movies ever with a shocking ending. A definite must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/22

Full Review

steve d

Strong drama with ties to my own heritage, hard not to like.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A montagem é problemática e o roteiro demora a colocar a narrativa nos trilhos. Mas a atuação de Jessica Lange e o segundo ato melhoram o nível.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Music Box completely fails to address its themes, lacking any kind of emotion and not having any purpose - but it's biggest flaw is not being able to catch up with Jessica Lange's committed performance whose talent was totally wasted.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Costa-Gavras

Director

Jessica Lange

Ann Talbot

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Mike Laszlo

Frederic Forrest

Jack Burke

Donald Moffat

Harry Talbot

Lukas Haas

Mikey Talbot

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Synopsis

Attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) leads the defense of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl). But this isn't just another case for her -- Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he's innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father's past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.

Director: Costa-Gavras
Producer: Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Joe Eszterhas
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1989, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 20, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.1M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround