The Paper Chase (1973)

James Hart (Timothy Bottoms) is a first-year law student on his first day at Harvard University.  He arrives in Professor Kingsfield's (John Houseman) class to learn about contract law and, to his utter surprise, is called upon to relate the details of a case.  He had expected a first-day introduction, not a leap into the material.  Utterly humiliated, he soon joins a study club with 5 other students to get up to speed.  Though he quickly discovers that law school is more work than a fulltime job, he also finds a girlfriend, Susan (Lindsay Wagner).  Where Hart is trying to organize, categorize, and otherwise dissect the world and its interactions into legalese, Susan is a free spirit who dislikes Hart's efforts to classify their relationship and apply contract law to it.  Of course, his studies suffer thanks to his involvement with Susan.  Choices must be made.  Grades are key to his future.

Though Hart is clearly taking many classes, the only one that is ever shown is that of Professor Kingsfield.  With the study club, Hart volunteered to produce a study outline for contract law - Kingsfield - while the others took property, criminal, etc.  By the end of the semester, half the study group had either abandoned the group or dropped out of Harvard entirely.  The stress is intense.

John Houseman is terrific as Kingsfield.  It is no wonder he won an academy award for this performance.  He is the best part of this movie, far outshining all the other actors.  Despite the fact that Hart was a standout student in his class, he appears to not know him at the end of the semester, asking his name.  In fact, this happened several times.  "What is your name?" was one of Kingsfield's most repeated lines.  Is this a tactic to keep students humble?  A way to maintain neutrality toward students?  An indication that he views the students as so many "skulls full of mush" that are not currently worth remembering?  Whatever the reason, it was great.

After the class is done and tests have been taken, Hart has a chance encounter with Kingsfield.  He gushes over how much he got out of the class.  Kingsfield replies by asking his name.  LOL!  "Thank you, Mr. Hart."

As for the rest of the cast, they are fine.  They get the job done but nothing special.  An entertaining movie and worth watching.  Recommended.