Legal Beagle

Legal Beagle (PG; 92 min.)

Based on a true story, Peter Jackson writes and directs this "tail" about zealous public defender Taylor Oppenheimer (Michael Badalucco) who is always out to win the war at any cost. After a client (Michael Cera) is arrested for (allegedly) throwing wood at a car in residential areas, Taylor crafts the perfect defense, but his plans are shattered when, in a mind-blowing scene, his client has a panic attack in court that stalls the case for two months. Taylor learns that he must also fight the battles and begins his quest to have the client's miniature dachsund comfort him through the trial as a companion animal. Jackson resorts to some stereotypical dog humor (growling at the prosecutor, lifting a leg on the prosector, etc.), but the greater social message is well-taken--particularly with the classic film noir cinematography. In his first true role since Return to Mayberry, Ron Howard plays Taylor's law professor mentor, and Mare Winningham makes a very brief appearance as Taylor's lady friend.

Some scenes may scare small children.