Runaway Jury

Starring: John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Bruce Davison, Bruce McGill, Jeremy Piven, Nick Searcy, Stanley Anderson, Cliff Curtis, Jennifer Beals, Joanna Going, Nora Dunn, Ned Bellamy, Orlando Jones, Dylan McDermott (uncredited)
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Thriller
2003

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:In a gigantic case against the gun-making industry, both sides resort to unbelievable means to win the case. The wealthy gun-makers employ a jury expert (Gene Hackman) who uses high tech surveillance to hand pick a jury guaranteed to decide in his favor. The defense (Dustin Hoffman) uses more conventional means to try to select a winning jury. In the midst of this struggle is one of the jury members (John Cusack) and his accomplice (Rachel Weisz) offer to swing the jury either way... to whichever side pays the highest amount.

Review:

Tim: This is a very intense film- one much more intense than you would normally think it would be. A great deal of the emotions and intensity come from the switch from the original novel (about the tobacco industry) to the fire arm manufacturers. This was done to avoid confusion, but it actually makes the story more real and important.

The cast is unbelievable. John Cusack is a tremendous actor, and gives a good performance as a complex and calculating jury. His performance may have appeared better, but the rest of the cast takes away some of his shine. Gene Hackman is terrifically awful as the ruthless steward of the defense. Dustin Hoffman gives a likable performance representing the plaintiff. This is the first time Hoffman and Hackman shared the same screen, and you can't help but marvel at these two figures on opposite sides of the courtroom. Rachel Weisz has a smaller, but no less important role. She and Cusack work very well together.

John Grishman writes some pretty amazing novels, and best of all, they are so easy to translate to the big screen. His novels almost demand to be made into movies, and this one makes the transition beautifully.

Runaway Jury provides all the excitement and thrills that you would expect from a legal drama by John Grisham. You will get caught up into the story and find yourself twisting and turning with the film. This movie also addresses a very timely issue, with the gun-related deaths in the United States.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film is to simply see the inner workings of a court, especially in regards to jury selection. The process is astonishing (and glamorized for the screen) and makes for interesting entertainment. I was very surprised how people from the outside could manipulate the system. It's scary.

This is a very good movie, addressing a timely issue, has a powerful cast, and will keep you interested. I definitely recommend seeing it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker, The Chamber, The Client, The Firm