Marshall (2017)

This was a pretty good film.
Instead of focusing on Thurgood Marshall's (Chadwick Boseman's) most  famous case of ending segregation of schools in the US, this film focuses on a case in Connecticut where a socialite (Kate Hudson) has accused her chauffeur (Sterling K. Brown) of rape.
But African Americans  can't even practice law in the state of Connecticut so Thurgood needs the help of insurance attorney, Sam Friedman (Josh Gad, excellent) who doesn't want to do this but his brother roped him into the whole thing.
The case turns interesting as it turns out that Ellie Strubing did have sex with Joseph, but it was consensual. Her husband (Jeremy Bobb), who never speaks throughout the whole film, is abusive and she's lonely but she instantly regrets her decision. She's even more worried about pregnant than I would be, but then again, this is before condoms and the pill. She weaves the whole story.
The film is also about Joseph's decision to turn down two plea deals, one of which would be a good deal even if it meant pleading guilty to a crime he didn't commit but he decides to fight for his freedom, though Thurgood can't even speak in court and the evidence is mounting against them. They can't even use the witness, as everything seems to be going against them.
But, in the end, men are men and women are women, with needs. Despite having an all-white jury, including one juror being from the south, they still win the case and it forces Sam to fight for the rights of all people.
The film is solid with a great cast, each one giving workman-like performances. Though Boseman is the star and does a great job, I find that somehow, Gad steals the film, perhaps because his role is the one that goes through a transformation. Still, the film is good, and tells an interesting story and does so very well, the same message has been driven home many times before and better but this is still a film that you want to watch to the end and keeps you entertained along the way. Grade: B+