A Civil Action (film)

A Civil Action is a 1998 American drama film that was directed by Steven Zaillian, that stars John Travolta as plaintiffs attorney Jan Schlichtmann and Robert Duvall, and that is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr. Both the book and the film are based on a true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the 1980s.

Environmental toxins in the city of Woburn, Massachusetts contaminate the areas water supply, and become linked to a number of deaths of neighboring children. Jan Schlichtmann John Travolta, a cocky and successful Boston attorney who zips around town in his Porsche, and his small firm of personal injury lawyers are asked by Woburn resident Anne Anderson Kathleen Quinlan to take legal action against those responsible.After originally rejecting a seemingly unprofitable case, Jan finds a major environmental issue involving groundwater contamination that has great legal potential and a couple of defendants with deep pockets. The local tanneries could be responsible for several deadly cases of leukemia, but also are the main employers for the area. Jan decides to go forward against two giant corporations reallife companies Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace and Company with links to the tanneries, thinking that the case could possibly earn him millions, as well as enhancing his and his firms already considerable reputation. ........

Source: Wikipedia