In 1940, Thurgood Marshall was a young lawyer for the NAACP, who defended innocent African-Americans from unjust indictments in court. His latest case is in Bridgeport, Connecticut where an African-American chauffeur is accused of raping a wealthy white society woman. To admit Marshall into the local Bar, Jewish insurance lawyer Sam Friedman is picked over his objections to do introductions in court. However, Friedman’s commitment changes drastically when the racist judge forbids Marshall to speak in court, forcing Friedman to act as lead counsel. Now in an intolerable situation for the pair, Marshall must guide his new compatriot through this criminal trial as Friedman deals with this unfamiliar area of law and bigoted harassment. However, the case proves more complex than either anticipates with unexpected twists and turns as it becomes a vital one that would define two careers as well as the fight for justice in America.

Marshall was made in 2017. It is directed by Reginald Hudlin, and stars Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad and Kate Hudson.

Laurie Baron’s introduction will begin promptly at 7 pm, and he will lead a discussion following the screening. Sign up through the Temple’s weekly emails.