15 best Billy Bob Thornton moments from Amazon’s Goliath
By Matt Lozano
12. Billy outsmarts the judge
Episode 2, “Pride and Prejudice”
In a court case that seemed rigged from the start, washed up lawyer Billy McBride fought against the odds. He quickly and effectively responded to Callie Senate’s objections to the case at hand against her client. Billy authoritatively commanded the courtroom until Judge Keller swiftly dismissed the case. Stunned at this decision, Billy insinuated that the defendant bribed Judge Keller.
Judge Keller held Billy in contempt and seemingly destroyed Billy for his wildly inappropriate behavior in the courtroom. However, Billy was fully aware of his actions. To combat Judge Keller’s bias, Billy utilized Judge Keller’s anger against the judge himself. Billy guaranteed himself a hearing with the judge where he could introduce evidence to state his case as well as attack the alleged judicial bias on Keller’s part.
Billy shined in the courtroom as he outsmarted the defense counsel and the judge. Thornton expertly played a lawyer who could unravel a composed and experienced judge. He commanded the scene with force in an intense shouting match with Harold Perrineau, who played Keller.