Music Box

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Music Box

PG-13

1989

2h 3m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

72%

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18 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) leads the defense of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl). But this isn't just another case for her -- Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he's innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father's past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Jun 12, 2013

5/5

Amazingly, director Costa-Gavras and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas navigate these perilous waters smoothly.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2/4

What I particularly disliked about Music Box is that it takes the easy way out. It is not about guilt or innocence; it is a courtroom thriller, with all of the usual automatic devices like last-minute evidence and surprise witnesses.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 14, 2026

1.5/4

[It] breathes a bit when Mueller-Stahl is on screen, but the rest of the time the ponderous "Music Box" is buried beneath mountains of standard courtoom-melodrama cliches.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Dec 2, 2022

A brilliant little box of surprises. [Full review in Spanish]

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Dec 16, 2021

3/4

...a better-than-average courtroom thriller...

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Ryan Murphy

Miami Herald

Aug 17, 2021

3.5/4

[Jessica] Lange without angst is like Tyson without punch. She's the era's Sarah Bernhardt, a tragedienne with soignee soul. In Music Box... Lange is at her furrowed-brow best.

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Kimberly K.

@K3tapper Jun 20, 2026

Love this fairly underrated film with exceptional performances, especially by Jessica Lange. Just watched it on Apple TV. You can also rent it on prime.

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Edward F.

@Edcedargrove Dec 6, 2025

Unforgettable; I wish I could find it again

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Alec B

@Alec97 Feb 28, 2024

A movie I wished I liked more. It's final twist feels cheap and unearned.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Aug 27, 2023

Lange is working as a defense attorney - and her client is her father. He's accused of gruesome war crimes. And Lange is convinced of his innocence until she really journeys to find the truth.

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robert w

@Robertw Aug 30, 2022

One of the best performance i have seen by Jessica Lange. Storyline was excellent where i enjoyed all the performance. Armin Mueller-Stahl was brilliant and he should also have been nominated for this role as supporting actor. This was a well deserved Oscar nominated in the best acting category for Jessica Lange and i was pulling for her to win. Loved this movie but it almost impossible to find anywhere to stream whether purchase or not. One of my all time best movies ever with a shocking ending. A definite must see

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steve d

@RT35616104 Jul 11, 2020

Strong drama with ties to my own heritage, hard not to like.

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Costa-Gavras

Director

Jessica Lange

Ann Talbot

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Mike Laszlo

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Harry Talbot

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Synopsis

Attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) leads the defense of a Hungarian immigrant accused of Nazi war crimes, Mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl). But this isn't just another case for her -- Laszlo is her father. Ann is sure that he's innocent, and intends to convince a jury that her client is the victim of a far-reaching Communist conspiracy. But, as she digs deeper into her father's past, Ann discovers some startling secrets that open up new mysteries.

Director: Costa-Gavras
Producer: Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Joe Eszterhas
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1989, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 20, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.1M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround

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