In the beginning of “The Decide,” Robert Downey Jr.’s character Hank Palmer, a profitable lawyer, resides in Chicago removed from his hometown in Indiana — and although his skilled life is in a strong place, his private life just isn’t. His spouse Lisa (Sarah Lancaster) cheated on him shortly earlier than the narrative begins, and as Hank grapples with that and prepares for a divorce, he receives phrase that his mom has handed away … so he heads house.
Whereas Hank is house along with his household — together with his brothers Glen (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Dale (Jeremy Robust) — he additionally visits his father, Decide Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), with whom he has a significantly contentious relationship on account of the truth that Decide Palmer despatched Hank to a juvenile facility as a teen after a automotive accident. The 2 briefly work together, at which level Hank notices obvious lapses in his father’s psychological state, however plans to return to Chicago anyway. That plan is destroyed when Glen calls Hank and divulges that Decide Palmer hit and killed a person that he beforehand despatched to jail — which signifies that Hank has to symbolize his father in court docket.
Because the case proceeds, Hank additionally should grapple along with his ex-girlfriend Samantha (Vera Farmiga) and their historical past, and in addition brings his daughter Lauren (Emma Tremblay) to satisfy his father for the primary time. Hank efficiently argues for a cost of voluntary manslaughter for his father, who was clearly affected by psychological deficiencies on the time of the accident, and after Decide Palmer returns house because of a compassionate launch, he and Hank lastly set their variations apart earlier than the Decide peacefully passes away. Hank takes over his father’s seat, turning into the titular Decide.