John Barrymore plays a lawyer driven to near suicide in Counsellor at Law, one of William Wyler's first important films. “Whether coping with revelations of marital infidelity or threats of being debarred, John Barrymore's Jewish lawyer is one of his richest screen creations. The insecurity and despair beneath the extrovert facade introduce what is to be a key theme of Wyler's films--the split between a person's social and private persona--and the tight structure of Elmer Rice's play is preserved through judicious pacing and variety of shot.” (National Film Theatre)