Director: Gary Fleder
Writer: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Cleveland, Matthew Chapman (Screenplay) John Grisham (Novel)
Starring: John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Bruce Davidson, Jeremy Piven, Nick Searcy, Cliff Curtis
Plot: Nicholas Easter (Cusack) is selected to be a juror on a big case against a major gun manufacture. Clean by the book lawyer Wendell Rohr (Hoffman) has the case lined up against them, while the manufactures have a consultant Rankin Fish (Hackman) try to win the case for the defence. Little do either on them know Nicholas is working with a mysterious lady Marlee (Weisz) to sway the jury to the highest bidder.
Verdict: A courtroom thriller
Story: With John Grisham books you always know you are going to see a small guy go up against a heavyweight and overcome all the odds to win, filled with plenty of inspirational speeches about why they are innocent, or deserved of the money. This has all that in an unlikely case that has win for the gun manufactures but with clever handling of the idea of jury tampering we get a thriller from start to finish. (9/10)
Actor Review: John Cusack – Nick Easter a juror who starts to play the jury the way he wants it to go for money. Good calm performance that shows he has the role down to a tee. (8/10)
Actor Review: Gene Hackman – Rankin Finch a consultant who will blackmail juries in his favour. Good performance trying to keep on step ahead of the over players. (8/10)
Actor Review: Dustin Hoffman – Wendell the lawyer who wants to take down the gun firms but gets put in a position where he has to question his morals. Good performance staying clean and dominating the screen whenever he appears. Favourite Character Award, Smooth Talker Award (9/10)
Actor Review: Rachel Weisz – Marlee pulling the strings between all the people involved to make sure she gets the money. Good performance and keeps everything calm in her negotiations. (8/10)
Director Review: Gary Fleder – Good direction making the most of the material and keeping us on the edge of the seats throughout. (9/10)
Crime: The battle against the crime committed offers new crimes being committed with the jury tampering. (9/10)
Thriller: Edge of the seat throughout. (9/10)
Believability: The shootings happen in America and the case against most have happened before but the outcome is hard to believe. (6/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Settings: The courtroom setting works well but multiple settings for the rest make it hard to use everything to the max. (8/10)
Suggestion: I would suggest watching as I enjoy all the thrillers and this offers everything and it offers the moral story of overcoming odds. (Watch)
Best Part: I enjoyed the final reveal of motive for Marlee and Nick.
Trivia: The first film with Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman starred in together even though they have been long term friends.
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Similar Too: A Time To Kill
Overall: Brilliant courtroom thriller
Rating 
