Phil Spector

Los Angeles, 2007. As the trial of music producer Phil Spector (Al Pacino) for the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson approaches, attorney Linda Kenney Baden (Helen Mirren) agrees to join Spector’s defense team, headed by lead attorney Bruce Cutler (Jeffrey Tambor). Linda has her first meeting with Spector at his mansion, and observes the ornate and idiosyncratic décor in which the equally unconventional music legend makes his home. Despite Spector’s eccentricities, Linda finds herself intrigued by Spector and the challenges of the trial. She decides to continue working with the defense team and to take another look at the evidence being presented and the circumstances surrounding the case. In building her defense, Linda explores how to get a jury to consider the possibility that reasonable doubt exists. Having witnessed Phil’s proclivity for erratic behavior, Linda and the rest of the defense team must consider the merits of putting him on the stand. Although he wishes to testify in his own defense, it is determined that Phil’s testimony could do more harm than good, despite the knowledge that Spector’s silence could spell defeat for the defense team and send their client to prison. (HBO UK)