Movie Review: What Rats Won't Do
Next week I'll be starting a series on Gift Tax, but for now, since we're still in a vacation week, a movie review:
I stumbled upon What Rats Won't Do a couple of weeks ago on IFC. The 1998 movie, which stars James Frain and Natascha McElhone, is a romantic comedy in the vein of Intolerable Cruelty (which I enjoyed) and Forces of Nature (which I didn't). Mr. Frain and Ms. McElhone are both attorneys, but unlike the above movies, which involved divorce courts, What Rats Won't Do is set in probate court. (Or, at least, the English equivalent thereof.)
The movie might seem prescient, especially in light of the Anna Nicole Smith case (the one involving her husband's death, not her own). Millionaire Gerald Burton has died, and now his son (played by Charles Dance) and his young, second wife (Parker Posey) are fighting over the inheritance. Of course, this is one of the most common probate litigation scenarios.
By the way, the film's title is based on a comment made by Mr. Frain's character, Jack Sullivan, about how scientists are now using lawyers instead of rats for their research, since the scientists get attached to the rats, and "there are some things even rats won't do." I'm not really into lame lawyer humor, and the film isn't incredibly witty, but I did like this exchange between Mr. Frain's character and a judge (they're at a bar dinner):
Judge: Ah, Sullivan. This bordeaux is like your approach to litigation -- cheeky, too much fruit, and far too buttery.Sullivan: Really, your honor. I was just thinking it was dusty and acidic, with an unpleasant finish, just like one of your summings up.
Judge: (Cough)
Bookmark: 
