Family relationships are complex; particularly between parents and children. When a parent and child are always butting heads and become estranged, barriers around the heart grow denser with each passing year. Yet, sometimes, buried deeply under the emotional baggage and bitterness is a yearning to rewrite the past, or at the very least, identify the behavior and events that crippled the relationship.

Because of the powerful performances of Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall, as the estranged father and son in “The Judge,” what could have been a mere tear-jerker, is a fine dramatic film exploring such a relationship.

Downey portrays Hank Palmer, a successful defense attorney from Chicago who returns to his small town childhood home in Indiana to attend his mother's funeral. As he prepares to leave, we learn he is married, on paper only. He informs his soon-to-be-ex, Lisa, that he will be going for custody of their daughter, Lauren.

As expected, there isn't even a hint at a warm greeting for Hank by his father Judge Joseph Palmer (Duvall). Hank's siblings Glen (Vincent D'onofrio), the one-time promising baseball star, and the youngest, Dale (Jeremy Strong) a young man with what appears to be have savant syndrome.

Throughout this visit, the distance between the Judge and Hank is vast. Glenn suggests they go into town for a few drinks. The three brothers head to the local watering hole and tie one on. Hank even “makes it” with the bartender before they leave. Drunk as lords, they arrive back at the Palmer homestead where precise parking, with the cars backed into the drive, is mandatory. Hank's a bit late telling Glenn when to stop to avoid hitting the garage.

Next morning, as he heads out to address the garage door, Hank makes a discovery: his father's car has been in an accident. Broken headlight, scraped down the length of the passenger side door. While Glenn and Dale check it out, “the Judge” comes out and another argument ensues. Hank speeds out of the driveway and to the airport saying he's never coming back.

Well, you know what they say about 'never' — never say it!

When Glenn calls Hank on the plane, Hank almost hangs up. Because he doesn't he learns his father has been arrested and taken down to the police station for questioning. A man convicted of killing a 16-year-old girl has been released from prison — and he turns up dead on the side of the road, a victim of a hit-and-run.

Hank returns to town, but his father refuses his services, at least not for the preliminary hearing anyway. Hank does end up defending his father in the murder trial.

During his extended time back in the hometown he despises, Hank makes some startling discoveries about his past — even when he's not watching old home movies spliced together by Dale – ultimately defending his father in a murder trial, and about the depth of his love for his old man.

Downey and Duvall turn in superb performances, giving their characters true depth and a palpable connection. It would not be surprising in the least if two developed quite a bond while making this film.

Supporting cast members Farmiga as Hank's former girlfriend, D'Onofrio as his older brother Glenn are excellent. But, Billy Bob Thornton's performance, as the prosecutor in the murder trial, is stellar.

This film has been criticized by some reviewers as being sentimental and cliché. And, yes it does have sentimental moments. It also has funny moments, tender moments, loving moments and those of intense conflict. This is a film about relationships after all. All relationships encompass such moments.

And they always will.

So, about those criticisms — forget about 'em.

The film is playing at The Harbor Theatre Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 and 7 p.m. The theater is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor in the mall across from Hannaford's.