Writer: Peter A. Dowling (Screenplay)
Starring: Dominic Cooper, Samuel L Jackson, Gloria Reuben, Ryan Robbins, Erin Karpluk, Dylan Taylor, Karl Thordarson
Plot: A District Attorney has his life turned upside down when he’s involved in a hit and run and another man is arrested for his crime and charged with murder.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: It Builds
Story: Reasonable Doubt starts by showing our protagonist Mitch Brockden (Cooper) showing off his lawyer skills by putting a solid close in his latest case. Our sharp District Attorney celebrates where he decides to actually drive home drunk hitting a man, but believing he has got away with it he calls for help and covers up the evidence. The next day he finds out that the man has died and another man Clinton (Jackson) is being the prime suspect after he tries to help the dying man. As the case unfolds Clinton gets off thanks to the witness report from Mitch’s own step-brother, leading to Mitch trying to uncover the truth while looking over his shoulder trying to keep himself clean.
Reasonable Doubt tells an interesting moral story but leaves you thinking. First I have to say how does this guy Mitch have his job when he is so willing to break the law? It turns into a cat-a-mouse feel to it mixing up a couple of films ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ & ‘Changing Lanes’. It never reaches the levels it could and the twists come but only because the overall story comes off too short. The first case never seems to get investigated after the first man gets cleared. It has plenty of plot holes because the attorney seems to do more investigating jobs then the police. It will fill up a good hour and half, it is the best though. (5/10)
Actor Review
Dominic Cooper: Mitch Brockden District Attorney with a bright future, who for some unexplainable reason decides to risk his life’s career driving home drunk (seriously why would he?). He hits a man and finds out later that the man has been died. He thinks he is responsible but finally uncovers the truth but can he expose it before it is too late? Dominic does a good job in the lead role in what is an unlikely character. (7/10)
Samuel L Jackson: Clinton Davis the man who gets arrested for the crime, he states that he was innocent and gets cleared, but he might have a bigger secret that he was covering up. Samuel does a good job even though it feels like he may have mailed some of it in. (6/10)
Support Cast: Reasonable Doubt uses its support cast to its limited amount where they seem to turn up for a small moments to give information to what is happening.
Director Review: Peter Howitt – Peter gives a solid side of direction but fails to make the twists impactful as we are never led down the wrong direction. (5/10)
Crime: Reasonable Doubt uses the moral stand point on the cases but never answer the real law questions. (3/10)
Thriller: Reasonable Doubt is a solid thriller but never really asked you questions. (5/10)
Settings: Reasonable Doubt uses the settings well but never creates an iconic scene in a location. (5/10)
Suggestion: Reasonable Doubt is one to try but don’t expect it to be memorable. (Try It)
Best Part Of Reasonable Doubt: The motives behind the Samuel L Jackson character.
Worst Part Of Reasonable Doubt: How did Mitch get away scot free.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Law Abiding Citizen, Changing Lanes
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes
Tagline: Proof in the burden
Overall: Disappointingly Predictable
Rating