Even littered with clichés and dropped storylines, it can still win your heart. “The Judge” is a film full of such missteps that is saved by an all-star cast.

“The Judge” (Rated R; 141 min.) is directed by David Dobkin and stars Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga and Billy Bob Thornton.

Hank Palmer, played by Downey, is a successful defense lawyer out of Chicago. After receiving notice of his mother’s death, Palmer drops everything to get to Carlinville, Ind. He is immediately reminded why he left, his relationship with his father only worsening. His father, Duvall, is a respected judge of the town who is indicted with a murder charge. Staying to defend his father, Palmer’s opinions start to change and he tries to save his father with every fiber of his being.

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Robert Downey Jr. was not always the box office success that he is now. He was an indie darling known for films like “Chaplin” and “Zodiac.” It was not until the success of “Iron Man” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe that Downey came to be the actor he is today.

Since his recent success, he has not done anything close to what is considered “serious drama.” While many of his films are acclaimed and critically successful, few push him in the ways “Chaplin” and “A Scanner Darkly” pushed.

Downey brings a performance to this film unlike anything he has done recently. He challenges the cool and commanding persona he settled into in “Iron Man.” His character is humanized by the emotional depth he reaches.

Palmer is selfish, but Downey makes him lovable. Seeing him react to his father’s emotionally detached ways can be tear-jerking at times in the film—not because of the dialogue but because of the acting.

The entire cast is to be praised. While this film is too mediocre to be considered Oscar-worthy, there are award-winning performances given. Thornton is a prime example.

He plays Downey’s rival lawyer. They face off in the case against his father and it is indeed a battle of wits. Much of the movie’s excitement comes from their battles and seeing how well they match against each other.

Thornton’s character is always understandable and convincing, even if he battles against our protagonists. His role in the film is minor, but his presence is remembered. It is even a little heartbreaking when he gives empathy to Palmer throughout the film.

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This movie falters at times and almost kills any enjoyment. It wants to be like every emotionally driven movie ever made with every cliché in the book. Characters have convenient heart to hearts, and random Bon Iver songs play to convey emotion. It is all there, and it is all devastating.

While this movie uses the talent to its advantage, it wastes a lot of it as well. Storylines seem to appear out of nowhere and come to nothing. At times it is a random assortment of events that don’t further the characters’ developments. They just seem to be there because they might be interesting.

In a slew of really bad films, victories have to be taken no matter what. “The Judge” will hit you emotionally, no matter how hard it tries to annoy you. You will enjoy it.

Jacob Pierce can be reached [email protected], on Twitter @JacobPierce1_DE or at 536-3311 ext. 273