Marshall is forced to recruit Sam Friedman (Josh Gad), a local insurance lawyer with zero criminal experience, to act as his voice.
Instead of covering his entire life, the film focuses on a pivotal early case from 1941: The State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell . Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman), then a young NAACP attorney, travels to conservative Bridgeport to defend a Black chauffeur accused of raping his wealthy white employer. The film's most unique hook is the :
This forces a "buddy-cop" style collaboration where Marshall must guide a reluctant Friedman through legal strategy using only notes and gestures.
A racist judge forbids Marshall from speaking during the trial.