Book Review: Advocacy to Zealousness: Learning Lawyering Skills from Classic Films

Abstract

Kelly Lynn Anders Advocacy to Zealousness: Learning Lawyering Skills from Classic Films. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2012. 218 pp.The use of popular culture in classroom is always guaranteed to elicit a knowing smile from students, or a groan. Pop culture is one of those ephemeral classroom aids, which-when successfully used-does help students retain information and, sometimes, actually learn.Thus, it is always intriguing to see new books that purport to do just that: facilitate student learning through watching of But whether it is actually possible to learn skills from classic is a highly questionable proposition. And for purposes of this review, it does not matter whether we are talking about films dealing with skills or journalistic skills. The problem is same.This book is interesting. (Wow. Twenty-six skills, arranged alphabetically. One skill for each and every letter of alphabet. Have we included them all?) The trivia is fun. (For instance, who knew that Jamie Farr, actor who created memorable Max Klinger character of M*A*S*H, is really Jameel Farah?) The films discussed may be more or less true to life. How true to life was EMARAC of Desk Set, an early anthropomorphic forerunner of today's computers? What does film teach about organization? How true to life was Atticus Finch, attorney memorably played by Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird? What does film teach about compassion? How true to life was Christine Vole, wife of accused, seductively played by Marlene Dietrich, in Witness for Prosecution? What does film teach about attorneys-and murderers-having a keen sense of timing?It may be that Audrey Hepburn really did say, Everything I learned I learned from movies. But after reading this book, this reviewer's conclusion is that fair lady could not have known any lawyering skills. This book certainly does not prove that classic films teach any. And whether films can teach journalistic skills to our students is likely equally problematic, in this reviewer's opinion.Recently, John Avlon of CNN posted a piece on cnn.com listing 5 movies that get newsroom right-his nominations for the top five journalism films of all time. They are (in his original order) Network, All President's Men, Good Night and Good Luck, Broadcast News, and His Girl Friday. He also includes three honorable mentions in his post: The Year of Living Dangerously, Ace in Hole, and Anchorman. They illustrate this reviewer's point well; some are drama, some are comedies, and one is so bizarre, outlandish, and ominously funny that message is as subtle as a sledgehammer. …