Twelve Angry Men

Lumet's first feature film, Twelve Angry Men, remains fondly remembered to this day. Sidney Lumet is the type of director who understands that acting is a form of self-exposure, because the actor's only tool for communication is himself. In order for "sparks to fly," an actor must be able to expose even his worst character traits. In this sense, the drama unfolding in the jury room is a veritable fireworks display. Each of the twelve men is a wonderful character study, and together they create a very disturbing picture of the vices of human nature.