In one scene, Orlean (Meryl Streep) finds Laroche (Chris Cooper) outside a Miami courthouse where he has just finished testifying in his own defense—or, more accurately, bragging about his research on “the asexual micropropagation of orchids under aseptic cultures,” a self-satisfied smile revealing his missing front teeth. He gives Orlean, pen and pad in hand, a quote for the record: “I don’t care what goes on here. I’m right, and I’ll take it all the way to the Supreme Court, cuz that judge can screw herself.” As Orlean jots down that last bit, Laroche looks shocked—but also a little charmed. “That for real would go in?” he asks. I wondered the same thing. Maybe there was something more to this magazine than wall art for the well-heeled.