Skip to main content

Home Movies TV Shows Genres People Watchlist

Search movies, TV shows and people

Home Movies TV Shows Genres People Watchlist

About WatchList

Discover the best movies and TV shows across all streaming platforms. Never miss what's trending and find your next favorite watch.

Quick Links

Popular Movies Popular TV Shows Browse Genres People About WatchList

Data Source

Powered by The Movie Database (TMDb)

© 2026 WatchList. All rights reserved.

Made with for movie lovers

Trial and Error

Trial and Error

Trial and Error

Trial and Error

The 2nd most outrageous trial of the century

1997•1h 38m•

★5.5(89 ratings)

ComedyRomance

Overview

When lawyer Charlie is sent to a small Nevada town to file a continuance request for a client, his actor friend Richard turns up to throw a surprise bachelor party celebrating his upcoming marriage to the boss's daughter. When Charlie is too hung-over to make it to court for the hearing, Richard fills in, inadvertently committing felony fraud, and Charlie is left with no choice but to coach the clueless Richard through the whole trial.

Director

Writers

Gregory Bernstein, Sara Bernstein, Cliff Gardner

Watchlist

Main Cast

Michael Richards

Michael Richards

Richard Rietti

Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels

Charles Tuttle

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron

Billie Tyler

Jessica Steen

Jessica Steen

Elizabeth

Austin Pendleton

Austin Pendleton

Judge Paul Z. Graff

Rip Torn

Rip Torn

Benny Gibbs

Ali Wentworth

Ali Wentworth

Tiffany

Jennifer Coolidge

Jennifer Coolidge

Jacqueline

Lawrence Pressman

Lawrence Pressman

Whitfield

Dale Dye

Dale Dye

Dr. Stone

Max Casella

Max Casella

Dr. Brown

McNally Sagal

McNally Sagal

Charles' Assistant

Full Crew

Direction

Director: Jonathan Lynn
Script Supervisor: Paula Barrett-Barbier

Writing

Screenplay: Gregory Bernstein
Story: Gregory Bernstein
Screenplay: Sara Bernstein
Story: Cliff Gardner
Story: Sara Bernstein

Production

Producer: Gary Ross
Casting: Terry Liebling
Executive Producer: Mary Parent
Producer: Jonathan Lynn
Executive Producer: Allen Alsobrook

Music & Sound

Original Music Composer: Phil Marshall

Cinematography

Director of Photography: Gabriel Beristain
Still Photographer: Ralph Nelson Jr.

Editing

Editor: Tony Lombardo

Art Direction

Production Design: Victoria Paul
Set Decoration: Kathe Klopp
Art Direction: Philip Messina

Costume & Make-Up

Costume Design: Shay Cunliffe

Keywords

lawyer

Videos

Did You Know?

#1

The film's tagline is: "The 2nd most outrageous trial of the century"

#2

The film had a budget of $25.0M but only grossed $14.6M, losing $10.4M at the box office.

#3

The runtime is 98 minutes (1h 38m).

#4

The film was directed by Jonathan Lynn.

#5

The screenplay was written by Gregory Bernstein and Sara Bernstein.

#6

The score was composed by Phil Marshall.

#7

Cinematography was handled by Gabriel Beristain.

#8

This title is listed on IMDb as tt0120373.

Gallery

Similar Movies

The Humbling

The Humbling

2014

Following a breakdown and suicide attempt, an aging actor becomes involved with a much younger woman but soon finds that it's difficult to keep pace with her.

Ed Wood

Ed Wood

1994

The mostly true story of the legendary "worst director of all time", who, with the help of his strange friends, filmed countless B-movies without ever becoming famous or successful.

Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation

2003

Two lost souls visiting Tokyo -- the young, neglected wife of a photographer and a washed-up movie star shooting a TV commercial -- find an odd solace and pensive freedom to be real in each other's company, away from their lives in America.

The War of the Roses

The War of the Roses

1989

Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. When Barbara starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver and likes what she sees, the two begin a campaign to force each other to leave their house, with their divorce lawyer D'Amato caught in the middle.

Look in the Mirror

Look in the Mirror

2014

A distracted middle-aged lawyer unwittingly becomes involved in a series of murders after he goes on a 'business trip' with a pretty, gold-digging paralegal from his firm.

Blind Date

Blind Date

1987

When bachelor Walter Davis is set up with his sister-in-law's pretty cousin, Nadia Gates, a seemingly average blind date turns into a chaotic night on the town. Walter's brother, Ted, tells him not to let Nadia drink alcohol, but he dismisses the warning and her behaviour gets increasingly wild. Walter and Nadia's numerous incidents are made even worse as her former lover David relentlessly follows them around town.

A Fish Called Wanda

A Fish Called Wanda

1988

While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises he’s not the only one after the collection.

Bridget Jones's Diary

Bridget Jones's Diary

2001

Bridget Jones is an average woman struggling against expectations. As a New Year's resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. Her charming boss takes an interest in her, and she cannot stop running into a rather disagreeable acquaintance whom Bridget cannot help finding quietly attractive.

O-Kay for Sound

O-Kay for Sound

1937

Hyman Goldberger, the president of film studio Super-Colossal Pictures, is in trouble--his major backer is threatening to stop financing his pictures. He finds a group of six wealthy individuals who may want to become investors in the studio if his disgruntled backer pulls out. Unfortunately, his bumbling runner Albert picks that day to invite six of his street musician friends to be in the film that is currently shooting at the studio, and Hyman mistakes them for the potential investors. Complications ensue.

Rating

5.5/10

Average

89 votes

Movie Information

Original Title:

Trial and Error

Status:

Released

Age Rating:

PG-13

Language:

English

Country of Origin:

United States of America

Budget:

$25,000,000

Revenue:

$14,598,571

Production Companies:

New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema

Larger Than Life Productions