By: debbie lynn elias
As if an adaptation of the John Grisham legal thriller “Runaway Jury” isn’t enough of a reason to see a film, then how about the pairing of Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, two of the greatest actors in film history. For the first time in their illustrious and storied careers, Hackman and Hoffman go head to head in an electrifying scene that in and of itself is worth the price of admission to both the ardent film enthusiast and the casual movie-goer alike.
Our film opens innocently enough with a young executive seeking the help of his attractive secretary (Okay, minds out of the gutter folks – it’s not what you think) !). Suddenly, the two hear gunshots down the hallway. As the executive goes to investigate, he sees his co-workers being gunned down one by one. Although he tries to hide, he too becomes a victim of this senseless killing spree.
Fast forward two years to jury selection in the trial of Celeste Wood vs. Vicksburg Gun Company, the manufacturers of the weapon used to kill her husband. Celeste is represented by perpetual good guy, Wendell Rohr, With down home, folksy appeal, Rohr has always been a favorite with juries. Representing the manufacturer is high-powered defense attorney, Durwood Cable. And as has become custom and practice in the legal field, the defense has money to burn and will use every means and every dollar at its disposal to break the plaintiff and her counsel, including bringing in Rankin Fitch, one of the most ruthless jury consultants in the country. His purpose, in exchange for a multi-million dollar price tag for a fee, is to guarantee that the jury selected will side with the defense. All Rohr has is Lawrence Green, a motivated young upstart who offers his services to the plaintiff in exchange for a a 20% fee (which on a contingency basis means zero dollars if the jury awards zero dollars). A classic case of David versus Goliath.
Adding an interesting wrinkle to this already contentious plot is Nicholas Easter, a greedy little conniver who, with the help of his girlfriend Marlee, plans to sway the jury in favor of whichever party pays him the most for his “inside” work as penance for his being forced to jury duty. His asking price – a cool $10 million. Will Rohr compromise his ethics and beliefs to make sure his client gets what she deserves? Will Fitch convince Cable to add this kind of cash to his “costs bill” to the company? Can a jury be contaminated to such a grand scale? Whatever happened to voir dire?
Talk about a shoot out at the OK Corral! Dustin Hoffman is magnificent as Rohr, complete with righteousness, the faint lull of a Southern drawl and a surprising cockiness that rears its ugly head when pushed to the limit by the contemptible corporate unscrupulousness exemplified by Bruce Davison as Durwood Cable. But the real joy is seeing the shamelessness of Gene Hackman as Rankin Fitch. No stranger to Grisham works (he was phenomenal in “The Firm”), Hackman reaches new heights (or depths) here with his demoralizing portrayal of the self-absorbed egomaniacal Fitch, a man seemingly devoid of any conscience and who would sell his soul to the devil if he had one. Absolutely riveting.
Earlier this year we saw John Cusack step out of his traditional loveable puppy-dog role and show some new levels of intrigue and depth with “Identity.” Here, he goes ten better as Nick Easter – a disgruntled man, essentially playing puppet master as he pulls the strings of the judicial system. An actor at ease in any and every role he tackles, here is simply masterful. For years people asked me what I saw in Cusack (besides the obvious) – they need ask no more after this role. Bruce Davison, although he typically plays “nice guys” is quite capable at deceit and excels at it here as Durwood Cable. Not to be outdone, Jeremy Piven as Rohr’s assistant Lawrence Green has a refreshing earnestness about him that makes you root even harder for the underdog. The rest of the cast continues to read like a who’s-who of Hollywood with everyone from Jennifer Beals to Leland Orser, Bill McGill and Nora Dunn and some terrific typecasting tied in.
A finely crafted work, under the guidance of director Gary Fleder “Runaway Jury” adeptly showcases the complexities and intricacies of a Grisham work and pushes all the right buttons, relying on the strengths of the story and the characters to convey the film’s message. If there is one shortcoming, it comes with the portrayal of the jury as a whole. Disappointingly, after a great set-up of internal jury tampering, we see very little of what goes on among the jurors themselves as they are each tugged at and affected in some manner by each of the principals.
The writing team of Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Cleveland and Matthew Chapman, while relying on and adapting the Grisham novel, switch the set-up from the tobacco industry to guns, thus immediately creating some real cinematic drama and oomph while retaining the essence of the plot and further expounding upon the gamesmanship at hand.
At its heart, “Runaway Jury” addresses the corruption of the legal system and the exploitation and commercialism of our Constitutional principles and the entitlement to a jury of one’s peers. It’s Grisham at his finest. Spellbinding. Riveting. Intriguing. Hackman, Hoffman, Cusack and Davison. Put me in that courtroom now.
Nicholas Easter: John Cusack Rankin Fitch: Gene Hackman Wendell Rohr: Dustin Hoffman Marlee: Rachel Weisz Durwood Cable: Bruce Davison Judge Harkin: Bruce McGill Lawrence Green: Jeremy Piven Vanessa Lembeck: Jennifer Beals
Twentieth Century Fox presents a film directed by Gary Fleder. Written by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Cleveland and Matthew Chapman. Running time: 127 minutes. Rated PG-13.
