| Overall Grade: |
C |
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| Story: |
C- |
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| Acting: |
B |
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| Direction: |
C+ |
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| Visuals: |
C |
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Great Cast, Very Disappointing Ending
by Jersey Joe (movies profile)
Nov 6, 2007
10
of
11 people found this review helpful
This film had the makings of an enjoyable and intelligent suspense-filled film. It had a great cast and a plot full of twists and turns. The payoff is just not there in the end. A film that shows us how cynnical and devious people control justice, finishes up with a pollyanna ending.
I like John Cusack, he comes off as intelligent and thoughtful as the juror who attempts to manipulate the jury. Gene Hackman represents pure evil in this story as the hired gun jury expert. Rachel Weisz is smart and savy as Cusack's partner. Dustin Hoffman is in the film, but I didn't find his character terribly interesting. Bruce Davison, Bruce McGill and Jeremy Piven all give solid supporting performances.
I suppose I should have known how the film was going to end, given that the trial was one involving a gun related death. That politically correct mentality kills the intelligence behind most of the film.
I didn't read the book. I don't really care for John Grisham's writing. I don't know if his book took the politically correct angle. I would hope the book was a little better.
Cynnical stories can be good ones as well. Happily ever after is a nice idea, but it gets tiresome. Sometimes the bad guys win. I just don't see the plausibility of what was done in this film.
So watch and enjoy up until the last ten minutes of the film and then walk away and write your own ending. |
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