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Pilot Review "Head Cases" (FOX)

Premise: When superstar attorney Jason Payne has a nervous breakdown and is fired from his prestigious job, he finds himself forming an alliance with fellow troubled lawyer Schultz, and the unlikely duo sets out to take on the establishment.

Starring: Adam Goldberg as Schultz, Chris O'Donnell as Jason Payne, Krista Allen as Laurie Payne, Jake Cherry as Ryan, Rachel Leigh Cook as Kate and Rockmond Dunbar as Dr. Robinson

Review:
"Head Cases" is the type of primetime tv we need here and there in the weekly schedule. It is a drama that doesn't take itself seriously. It's "Miss Match" without the matching people together part of the deal. It's got the same type of sometimes wacky storylines (cases the lawyers need to defend) and the same type of goofiness meddled with the seriousness of a drama. However, "Head Cases" has more touchy moments than "Miss Match" had... it's more manly as well.

Chris O'Donnell plays exacty the type of character you would expect him to play: a clean-cut lawyer who is driven by his work and forgets about his family. After a breakdown, he goes into rehab. When he gets out, his doctor pairs him up with another patient of his (played by Goldberg) so they keep helping one another. O'Donnell's character gets fired from his old job. With the help of unlikely partner Schultz (Goldberg), he gets a client and, eventually wins his first case outside a big firm. This unlikely pairing as well as rehab friend Kate (Rachel Leigh Cook) will help Payne know what is important in life. He'll eventually start a firm with Schultz and try to mend his broken marriage and relationship with his son.

O'Donnell fits perfectly in this role. Goldberg, well, he plays a character in all senses of the word. He is the crazy type of lawyer who forgot a few laws after he took the bar exam and who is not afraid to do things his way. He is used to defending prostitues and nymphos, just to name a few. O'Donnell's character is used to representing big companies and clients with money. Unlikely duo as FOX's description puts it.

People who remember how much I hated the pilot of "Fearless" and mostly Rachel Leigh Cook's acting skills may need to hold on to their chairs for a few seconds: I actually liked her in this role. It seems the girl may have a few actings skills in her. She's not the greatest actress still but she is believable in her role in "Head Cases." Krista Allen is good in this and Jake Cherry (who plays O'Donnell's and Allen's son is so cute you want to hug him even if he's muddy!).

The music was good and fitted the scenes well, but as hannibalsmith put it in his own review of the pilot, it looks like all FOX pilots are using the same songs. The pilot has a few flaws in editing and camera work but I'm willing to let this pass since, after all, it is a pilot.

"Head Cases" is not THE new primetime show of Fall 2005 but it's enjoyable nonetheless and offers a nice comic/drama relief. Just for the O'Donnell/Goldberg pairing, it's worth to be watched.



"Head Cases" will debut on Wednesday, September 14 at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Pilot Review: Head Cases (FOX)
premise: high-profile lawyer has breakdown after his wife throws him out for never being home. Released from mental institution, he has to team up with crazy lawyer.


People:
Chris O'Donnell
Adam Goldberg
Rachel Leigh Cook
Krista Allen


hee, at 7 mins. in, there's a boom mike visible, rookie mistake? Does Fox have the same music people om all their pilots? Music fits well though. Adam Goldberg is in the role only he can do, (Think "Eddie" with the moose cap, if you know what I mean). Ok, on to the actual pilot: I liked it. Subtle humor (and sometimes not so subtle, after all, Adam Goldberg, remember). Still, good fun to watch. I got kind of a Sandy Cohen vibe at the end.

(Oh yeah: Kimber (of Nip/Tuck) is in it. That's always a good thing)