A Civil Action

Jan Schlichtmann, a shrewd and weary personal-injury lawyer, takes on what looks like a straightforward environmental lawsuit in which pollutants are alleged to have tainted a town's drinking water. He believes a quick victory will set him up financially and professionally. But as he researches the case, he discovers a much larger web of responsibility and a potential windfall that could redefine his career. The pursuit drags him deeper into a lawsuit against a well defended corporate empire, pushing his stamina to the limit. He draws in colleagues and experts, sacrifices time with his family, and makes risky bets with his clients' futures. The line between right and profitable becomes blurred, testing loyalties and the meaning of justice. The pursuit tests loyalty and principle alike.

Directed by Steven Zaillian, who adapted Jonathan Harr's non fiction book A Civil Action, the 1998 drama pairs Travolta's Jan Schlichtmann with Duvall's Jerome Facher, supported by Tony Shalhoub, William H Macy, and Zeljko Ivanek. It translates a true life courtroom saga into a rigorous, character driven film.

The film earned roughly 56.7 million worldwide against a 70 million budget, a modest return for a prestige courtroom drama. Its box office performance reflected the challenge of turning a detailed true life story into broad festival and multiplex appeal.

Critical response was mixed to positive, with praise for Travolta's firm, morally uneasy performance and Zaillian's crisp adaptation. The film centers on accountability, the human cost of protracted litigation, and how money and power shape justice, offering a sobering look at environmental law and corporate responsibility.

While not a splashy pop culture icon, A Civil Action remains a go-to example of late 90s legal drama about environmental harm. It prompted conversations about corporate liability and public health, and is often cited for its grounded, procedural approach to a devastating case.