Analyzing 'How to Get Away with Murder': Realism vs. Entertainment

How to Get Away with Murder, created by Peter Nowalk and starring Viola Davis, is a legal drama that has garnered significant acclaim for its engaging storytelling and complex characters. However, its portrayal of the American legal system is often criticized for being overly dramatized and far from realistic. This article delves into various aspects of the series, from the legal process to ethical boundaries, to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Legal Process

The show frequently takes liberties with legal procedures, presenting trials with an exaggerated level of dramatization. Legal strategies are often simplified for entertainment, omitting crucial pre-trial work such as discovery and motions. In reality, legal cases involve extensive preparation and procedural steps that are not fully represented in the series.

Character Roles

The characters, particularly Annalise Keating (played by Viola Davis), play multiple roles that are highly improbable in real life. For instance, a professor of law who is also a practicing defense attorney and involved in multiple high-profile cases simultaneously is not typical in the legal field. The show's portrayal of these multifaceted roles adds to its dramatic appeal but detracts from realism.

Ethical Boundaries

The series often blurs ethical lines, with characters engaging in questionable conduct to win cases. While real-life lawyers can face ethical dilemmas, the extent of manipulation and deceit portrayed in the show is exaggerated for dramatic effect. This aspect sets the series apart from real legal practices, where ethical boundaries are strictly followed.

Courtroom Drama

The courtroom scenes in the show are designed to be thrilling, often including unexpected twists and turns that are more characteristic of fiction than real-life legal proceedings. Real trials are generally more structured and less spontaneous. The chaotic and unpredictable nature of many courtroom scenes in the series deviates significantly from what a spectator might expect in a real trial.

Overall Themes

While 'How to Get Away with Murder' touches on important themes such as race, justice, and morality, these are explored primarily through a lens of heightened drama and personal conflict. The series does resonate with real issues within the legal system, but its portrayal is more aligned with entertainment than accuracy.

Conclusion

In summary, while 'How to Get Away with Murder' touches on significant themes and issues within the legal system, its portrayal is more focused on entertainment than accuracy. For a more realistic understanding of legal practices, one might consider documentaries, other legal dramas that prioritize realism, or actual courtroom experiences.