“Iron Man” came out in 2008, which means it’s been six years since the modern resurgence of Robert Downey, Jr.’s “lovable jerk” routine began.

While he’s talented enough to make it mostly worthwhile, it’s something that, if taken too far, can be absolutely unbearable.

The first half hour or so of “The Judge” came dangerously close to that point, as he plays a selfish, sleazy and downright unpleasant lawyer who has to go back to his Indiana hometown for his mother’s funeral.

His father is the town’s longtime judge, and their relationship could be generously described as rough.

That’s all put to the test when Downey’s character has to defend his father in court on a murder charge.

The story arcs in the ways you’d expect, and it’s not the best part of the film.

It hits some of the schmaltzy, sentimental notes these movies tend to hit, with tender moments being accompanied by swelling strings and piano notes.

Some of the writing is genuinely nice, and even when it’s not, the quality of the performances elevates the whole thing.

Duvall is a terrific actor, one we should really be cherishing as his time with us draws nearer to its inevitable end in the next several years.

 His constant clashes with Downey feel like natural human interactions instead of forced Hollywood drama.

Speaking of Downey, he’s giving the same kind of performance we’ve come to expect from him, but “The Judge” puts a bit of a different spin on it.

Like I said, his character is generally unlikable, but in believable ways.

He’s one of those small town Midwestern guys who thinks other rural folks are intellectually beneath him.

 He left for the big city as early as possible, and his condescending attitudes (along with his quick wit) have served him well as a lawyer.

At first, it’s difficult to enjoy the movie at times, because it asks us to sympathize with this a-hole, but as it goes on, its message becomes clearer.

Downey’s attitudes have been validated for years, but as soon as he goes back to his hometown, people start rightfully calling him out on them.

He isn’t a remarkably changed man by the end, but it seems like he might have been humbled a little bit.

“The Judge” isn’t remarkable in any one way, but its excellent cast helps make the characters complex and interesting in ways lesser actors might not be capable of.

You shouldn’t run to the theater to see it, but if any of that sounds good to you, it might be worth a shot at some point.