Rating: 
Summary: A Good Saturday Night Movie
Review: If you liked Civil Action, with depth and purpose, and you liked the Insider, because you prefer movies that take some brains and intelligence to figure out--then go see Runaway Jury, a perfect movie for a Saturday night.
Rating: 
Summary: Irresponsible court drama that is made by Weisz And Hackman
Review: Irresponsible court room drama that has a lot of preaching about the responsibility of gun violence but does not really put the blame where it should be, on the person responsible. That where the movie fails for me, and where the ultimate problem lies. It teaches that people are not responsible for their actions, and they really needed to blame some one for it instead of themselves. Which in my opinion very irresponsible. Other than that major problem, it's the performances that garner the most respect from me, especially from Rachel Weisz, who gives a great and fearless performance, and Gene Hackman, who gives evil man some humanity. Their performances are the only reason to see this other wise lap sided movie that should have giving a fair shake to both sides of the gun issue other than to try to pick a bad guy.
Rating:
Summary: A Grisham meal with out the main course.
Review: This movie has all the ingredients that made the original John Grisham novel memorable but the main ingredient itself, the plot that was the meat and potatoes of the entire novel. Instead, we get a plotline involving gun manufactures, and victims rights which is a fine plot line in itself but lacks the energy needed to put on a better show. We do have two great performances that do wet the bottom of the mouth in the form of Rachel Weisz and Gene Hackman, who makes this meal of a movie full of flavor. Weisz is great as Marilee, the mastermind of the whole scheme, and Gene Hackman is picture perfect as Rankin Fitch, the jury consultant who would stop at nothing to secure his verdict. Dustin Hoffman is fine as Wendell Rohr, and he does a fairly decent southern accent, and John Cusack is a fairly good Nicholas Easter, and captures his mystery to a tee. The movie is saved from total blandness because of their performances, and this viewer is happy because of it, because the movie wouldn't have being as good as it was with out them.
Rating:
Summary: Irresponsible court drama that is made by Weisz And Hackman
Review: Irresponsible court room drama that has a lot of preaching about the responsibility of gun violence but does not really put the blame where it should be, on the person responsible... It teaches that people are not responsible for their actions, and they really needed to blame some one for it instead of themselves... Other than that major problem, it's the performances that garner the most respect from me, especially from Rachel Weisz, who gives a great and fearless performance, and Gene Hackman, who gives evil man some humanity. Their performances are the only reason to see this other wise lap sided movie that should have giving a fair shake to both sides of the gun issue other than to try to pick a bad guy.
Rating: 
Summary: Good thriller
Review: Great John Grisham thriller that manages to hold itself up with some dignity with a great cast (Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and John Cusack) and great nail biting suspends. Even with the fact that it really does not follow the book, the movie does hold itself well as one of the better John Grisham movies.
Rating:
Summary: Sleazy, cheesy, but fun. Hoffman and Weisz steal the show
Review: The plot goes round and round in "Runaway Jury" and the camera is in lockstep, swirling around its actors as if they stood at the pivot of a merry-go-round, dizzying the audience into a headache of chaos, the better to distract them from a movie that makes no sense at all. That said, the story is so thorough in its cynic fantasy it is (like, say, "Cruel Intentions") pretty entertaining.Gene Hackman, who at 73 never slows down, is sternly malevolent as Rankin Fitch, a high-priced jury consultant whose arsenal of espionage tools and recon foot soldiers rivals the KGB. The "war room" scene where he breaks down his potential pawns is informative; though nobody is going to spend $15 million to select 12 people - as movie contends - there is an art to it, and the technique is laid out far better here than it was in "Devil's Advocate." Fitch assists a New Orleans gun manufacturer caught in a class action lawsuit only plausible in movies, and one of the jurors, Nick Easter (John Cusack), and his girlfriend, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), are blackmailing both the defendant and the plaintiff, represented by Wendall Rohr (Dustin Hoffman). Nick and Marlee claim they can sway the jury and sell the verdict to the highest bidder. As the plot unfurls it becomes possible that they aren't trying to buy anything, but play a con, backed by a Moral. That's a sweet proletariat consideration, but in terms of doing justice, it's robbing Peter to pay Paul. Director Gary Fleder ("Don't Say A Word") is far more devoted to winding us up than meditating on the legal system; with cinematographer Robert Elswit, Fleder jerks and spins and speeds and slows and generally makes a drama soup out of things; New Orleans, one of the truly original cities, is merely background. Stuffed to the brim with action, "Runaway Jury" is economical and workmanlike, like Grisham's thrillers, and a strong vehicle for performers. Hackman, borrowing from his magnificent work in "The Royal Tanenbaums" is a fine rascal, and Cusack hasn't been this shifty since "The Grifters." The surprise? It's Weisz, as the feisty brains of the operation. She holds her own with Hackman, which is more than can be said for a broken-down, weathered Hoffman.
Rating:
Summary: Weak adaptation to a great book.
Review: Very Weak adaptation to the John Grisham book has all the flare but none of the substance that made the book such an enjoyable read. This should not even be called Runaway Jury because the premise of the book is not even used in the movie. Gene Hackman is always at his best in what ever he does and Dustin Hoffman is just as good. Its great to have such heavy weight actors involved, and John Cusack hold himself well but its Rachel Weisz who literally steals the film from all three of them with her great performance. She is real reason to see this movie, even when the movie itself is not really worth it. She is so good in fact that she should have had more to do than the three other leads who are giving too much screen time in some parts or another. See it for Rachel Weisz and the rest of the cast but don't hold your hopes up for a movie as good as the book
Rating:
Summary: The most intense Grisham film adaption since "The Firm"!!
Review: Based on the bestseller by John Grisham, "Runaway Jury" is, without a doubt, one of the finest and most thrilling Grisham adaptions ever made since "The Firm", "The Pelican Brief", "The Client", "A Time to Kill", "The Chamber", and "The Rainmaker"! "Runaway Jury", to me, is also, by far, a slick and intense thriller that reminds us as to why we go to the movies in the first place! The direction of Gary Fleder ("Don't Say A Word") is brilliant and powerful! The performances of John Cusack ("High Fidelity"), Rachel Weisz (The "Mummy" films), and Academy Award-winners Gene Hackman (Best Supporting Actor, 1992: "Unforgiven") and Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor, 1988: "Rain Man") were top-notch and commanding, especially the performances of Hackman and Hoffman, who, in real life, were former roommates and have known each other since 1956. And, on another note, Hackman is no stranger to Grisham territory, since "Runaway Jury" is his third Grisham film (The other two were 1993's "The Firm" and 1996's "The Chamber"). "Runaway Jury" calls the attention to a case that is involving a major gun manufacturer. When a young widow (Joanna Going) in New Orleans brings a civil suit against the powerful corporate consortium she holds responsible for her husband's (an uncredited Dylan McDermott) murder, she sets in motion a multi-million dollar case. But it's a suit that may be won even before it begins -- based solely on the selection, manipulation, and, ultimately, the attempted "theft" of the jury. Representing the widow is Wendall Rohr (Hoffman), a courtly Southern lawyer with a moral center and a heartfelt passion for the case that he's presenting. His opponent is ostensibly the attorney representing the corporation. But in reality, defense counsel is only the front man for Rankin Fitch (Hackman), a brilliant and ruthless jury consultant. At a high-tech command center set up in an old French Quarter warehouse, Fitch and his team work on the surveillance and assessment of potential jurors. He will know everything about their lives, and strategically manipulate the jury selection process. The only acceptable result is the perfect jury to vote in favor of his client. Fitch and Rohr soon realize that they're not the only ones out to win the jury. One of the jurors, Nick Easter (Cusack), seems to have his own plan for swaying the panel. And a mysterious woman known only as Marlee (Weisz) contacts both Rohr and Fitch telling them the jury's for sale to either of them -- and that the verdict won't come cheap. While the case is argued in court, a cat-and-mouse game begins to play out in New Orleans' French Quarter. Rohr's morality is put to the test, and Fitch is poised to cross the line from selecting a jury to stealing it -- no matter who gets hurt in the process. And, to Fitch, it's all in the name of securing a favorable verdict. In conclusion, "Runaway Jury" has outstanding performances from Cusack, Hackman, Hoffman, and Weisz, especially the scene-stealing performances of both Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman in a memorable scene together! "Runaway Jury" also has a strong supporting cast, including Bruce Davison (The "X-Men" films), Bruce McGill ("The Sum of All Fears"), Jeremy Piven ("Serendipity"), Jennifer Beals ("Flashdance"), and the two uncredited appearances of Dylan McDermott (TV's "The Practice") and Luis Guzman ("Anger Management"), in which they gave great performances as well. The film also has slick, fast-paced suspense and an excellent and powerful storyline. "Runaway Jury" is John Cusack's best since "Identity"; Gene Hackman's best since "Unforgiven"; Dustin Hoffman's best since "Rain Man"; and Rachel Weisz's best since "Chain Reaction"! A DVD must-own to my John Grisham movie collection when released!
Rating:
Summary: The best movie I have seen this year.
Review: Great courtroom Spectacle of a film that not only raises eyebrows with its subject matter but also gives a great look on how we as people should look at ourselves. Gene Hackman gives an Oscar caliber performance in this film, and Rachel Weisz gives one as well, not only holding her own with him but almost even surpassing him as well. Dustin Hoffman was good but he has done better and John Cusack is gives another great performance as well. I did not read the book that this is based on but I hope it's as good as the movie was.
Rating:
Summary: It¿s not Grisham¿s book, but it¿s a good movie.
Review: Because this film really divers away from the novel, this could have been a real fiasco. But thankfully It's the actors who save this other wise practicable film from total failure. I have to agree with the majority that Rachel Weisz and Gene Hackman are the saving graces of the film. They both give intense performances to an other wise flat film that really does not make sense once you start to put two and two together. John Cusack is great, and Dustin Hoffman never disappoints. My beef with the film is the fact that the original novel would have made a real thought provoking film, but under unknown circumstances, the original premise was dropped. The premised of guns is a hot topic as well but needs a better forum for this argument, and a better movie.
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