From the Hip

From the Hip

Year: 1987

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: English

Director: Bob Clark

ComedyDrama

Ambitious apprentice lawyer Robin Weathers turns a routine civil suit into a media circus, earning a fast promotion despite his questionable tactics. Now, to prove his integrity, he must defend a college professor accused of murder, forcing Robin to confront his own morals and the cost of success.

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Timeline & Setting – From the Hip (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of From the Hip (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid to late 1980s

The events take place in a contemporary 1980s legal landscape, characterized by aggressive advocacy and media attention. Courtroom theatrics and rapid information flow reflect the era’s appetite for sensational, televised moments. The period’s tools and communication styles shape how cases are argued and public opinion is formed.

Location

Law Firm, Courthouse, Bank

The story unfolds across a modern American law firm and the surrounding city’s courthouse, with the bank as the financial anchor of the case. The settings emphasize the contrast between sleek offices and tense trial rooms where high-stakes decisions drive careers. These locations ground the narrative in a professional world where reputation and results matter.

🏢 Urban setting 🏛️ Legal drama 🏦 Corporate world

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Main Characters – From the Hip (1987)

Meet the key characters of From the Hip (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Robin 'Stormy' Weathers (Judd Nelson)

A driven, unconventional young lawyer eager to be trusted with a trial. He uses flamboyant courtroom stunts to short-circuit traditional filing and research, blurring ethics with bravado. His charm and intelligence mask a ruthless belief that spectacle can win cases and clients. This tension drives the plot as he balances ambition with moral considerations.

🎭 Ambitious 🧠 Clever 🗣️ Showman

Douglas Benoit (John Hurt)

A university professor accused of murder, almost certainly guilty according to the defense. He taunts his attorney with glimpses of his brutal worldview and the clarity he believes violence requires. His thinly veiled confession on the stand becomes a pivotal moment, challenging Weathers' ethics and strategy. Benoit embodies a chilling intellectual menace that tests the limits of legal defense.

🧠 Intellectual ⚖️ Guilty 🗝️ Calculating

Jo Ann (Elizabeth Perkins)

Weathers' girlfriend who witnesses his courtroom antics with a mix of pride and embarrassment. She represents the personal cost of a career built on dramatics and public spectacle. Her perspective adds a human dimension to the professional battles, highlighting the strain between love and ambition. She anchors the emotional core of Weathers' life outside the courtroom.

💑 Supportive 🌀 Turbulent 🎭 Romantic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

Major Themes – From the Hip (1987)

Explore the central themes of From the Hip (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Ethics vs Ambition

Robin 'Stormy' Weathers pursues win-at-all-costs tactics to prove himself in court. The film probes whether professional success justifies ethically questionable methods. It questions the boundaries of legal practice when ambition and personal gain collide with duty. The narrative shows that the pursuit of glory can tempt moral compromise.

🗞️ Media Frenzy

The case becomes a public spectacle, fueling sensational headlines and crowd interest. The 1st Amendment debate is framed as a clash between free expression and courtroom decorum. Reporters and public attention influence perceptions and potentially outcomes. The story critiques how press coverage can distort truth and pressure legal decisions.

🏛️ Public Image and Power

A firm’s power hinges on reputation, client acquisition, and visible success in the courtroom. Weathers’ flamboyant tactics are weighed against professional responsibilities and firm advancement. The plot shows how public perception can grant or strip authority within legal institutions. Personal cunning and strategic image-building become as consequential as legal argument.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:22

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From the Hip Summary

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From the Hip Timeline

More About From the Hip

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