Reversal of Fortune
"The Case of Claus Von Bulow. An American Saga of Money and Mystery."
In the orbit of a Boston dynasty, Sunny von Bülow lies in a coma after a mysterious incident that unsettles the social circle. Her husband Claus von Bülow is charged with attempted murder, though he maintains his innocence and appeals to a famed defense attorney for help. The narration threads... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 03, 2026
About Reversal of Fortune
In the orbit of a Boston dynasty, Sunny von Bülow lies in a coma after a mysterious incident that unsettles the social circle. Her husband Claus von Bülow is charged with attempted murder, though he maintains his innocence and appeals to a famed defense attorney for help. The narration threads through a blend of courtroom drama and testimony from the family, with Glenn Close portraying Sunny and guiding viewers from her perspective. The film keeps the exact details under wraps while tracing the legal fight that tests what really happened and what a jury might believe. Its tone mixes cold legal precision with intimate character moments throughout. It stays focused on questions of truth and responsibility.
Directed by Barbet Schroeder and adapted from Alan Dershowitz's book Reversal of Fortune, the film presents a polished, character driven courtroom drama. It pairs elegant interiors with sharp dialogue and follows the legal strategy rather than melodrama. The performances anchor the narrative throughout.
Beyond the courtroom tension, the film fuels discussions about celebrity trials and ethical defense. It shows how media attention and status can skew public view before evidence settles. The narrative invites viewers to weigh mercy against blame and consider cinema's role in shaping memory. For audiences watching real life justice.
Reception was that it is a lean, intelligent courtroom drama that asks hard questions about guilt, truth, and public perception. It centers on the tension between legal maneuvering and personal consequence, inviting reflection on privilege, justice, and how a single case can echo beyond the courtroom for modern viewers today.
Details
- Release Date
- October 19, 1990
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 344 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Drama
- Country
- Japan
- Studio
- Shochiku-Fuji Company +2 more
- Box Office
- $15,445,131
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Glenn Close
Sunny von Bülow / Narrator
Jeremy Irons
Claus von Bülow
Ron Silver
Alan Dershowitz
Annabella Sciorra
Sarah
Uta Hagen
Maria
Fisher Stevens
David Marriott
Jack Gilpin
Peter MacIntosh
Christine Baranski
Andrea Reynolds
Stephen Mailer
Elon Dershowitz
Christine Dunford
Ellen
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Written by: Nicholas Kazan, Alan Dershowitz