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High Crimes

High Crimes

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Wow, what an incredibly average movie!
Review: So-so plot, so-so directing, so-so acting.... Well, actually, I think the acting was better than so-so, especially given the so-so script, but only marginally so. I can't think of anything about the movie that was especially bad, and likewise, I can't think of anything that was especially good. Well, I did like Morgan Freeman's "relapse" scene; that actually made me wonder, "ooh, I wanna see what happens next." Rest of the movie was just the usual, predictable stuff. "*Yawn* I bet that's gonna be a false alarm. Hmm, see?"

I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 stars for being such a middle-of-the-pack, average movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A taut legal thriller
Review: Joseph Finder's bestselling novel comes to life in this well-made, though somewhat predictable, thriller as a savvy and love-struck lawyer is pitted against the military and its covert actions. Ashley Judd plays Claire Kubik, a lawyer on the way to a partnership until her husband is arrested for a military crime he swears he didn't commit. To defend him, Claire must navigate military law and threats, getting in deeper and more dangerously with every half-truth she uncovers.

The plot has fewer holes than most thrillers, although most viewers will see the "twist" a mile away. And that a law firm would jettison one of its promising stars because her husband was arrested is preposterous. Wouldn't they help in the defense? Still, given the holes in most thrillers these days, these lapses are minor. The acting is solid, with Judd creating a gutsy, smart woman who is capable of both unfaltering love and fury. Morgan Freeman does a fine job with his thin material as a once-alcoholic lawyer who is "a thorn in the military's side." James Caveziel, as Claire's husband, is less complex; his pleading got on my nerves by the end. Supporting roles by Amanda Peet (Claire's floozy sister) and Adam Smith (a young military lawyer) are adequate, though not highly memorable.

The strength of this film is in the pacing and the seamless way in which it unfolds. The issues it raises about the United States's involvement in El Salvador provide an interesting, though not fully developed, frame. Highly enjoyable, though not perfect, this film is a good way to spend two hours with a bowl of popcorn at hand.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Highly Disappointing.
Review: I hate to say this, but "High Crimes" is just another clichéd, predictable courtroom drama. Though the trailers claim that the ending will "shock you", I found myself yawning at the supposed climax. For me, the "shocking ending" was the only thing that compelled to see this film. So as you can imagine, I was very disappointed. The ending may surprise you if you're particularly naïve, but the average moviegoer will figure out the ending long before it occurs. Not good.

The story centers around Claire Kubick (Ashley Judd), a high-powered attorney and a loving wife with a strong wish for a child of her own. Claire is happily married to Tom (James Caviezel,), a former Marine. Claire's life is perfect until one night while she and Tom are Christmas shopping federal agents corner them and take Tom into custody on multiple charges, including the murder of nine El Salvadorians on a military mission in 1988. Naturally, Claire is convinced of her husband's innocence and after a few twists and turns, Claire teams up with a newbie military lawyer (Adam Scott) and a once respected but now disgraced drunk military attorney named Charles Grimes (Morgan Freeman) who's main reason for taking the case is to try and make the military court look foolish. Together they battle the brutal world of military court. The question is, will they survive?

The plot is too muddled and confusing to be the least bit interesting and becomes very tiresome after awhile. The script is full of clichés and cheesy lines including one particularly laughable one recited by Judd, "I've already survived you. The question is, can you survive me?" One thing that especially annoyed me was how all of sorts of important information was given in the beginning of the film, but didn't come into play until the final sequences. How exactly is the audience supposed to remember all these important details unless they were taking notes?

The only reason to see "High Crimes" would be for the tremendous acting by Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. They both master their roles and have great chemistry together, probably because of their previous experience together in 1997's "Kiss The Girls". The supporting cast is also delightful. James Caviezel (from this years surprise hit, "The Count of Monte Cristo) is chilling in his role as Judd's husband. Amanda Peet and Adam Scott also put forth excellent performances.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A script with holes but watchable!
Review: Who really believes a lawyer may defend to her husband? Weird jury. Don´t you?
But if you let that point outside , you will watch an interesting film with a bit of film noir . Freeman plays an alcoholic lawyer who suddenly must accepth a defiant case .
Ashley Judd plays a convincing role ; she ´s one of the most beautiful actress in the world and many times the camera reminds us. However the script is surrounded of smart crossroads.
Watch James Caviezel as Ron Chapman . Carl Franklin is a consistent film maker.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Enjoyable and suspenseful
Review: ***
I agree with the reviews that say that this was not a great movie, that in some ways it was predictable, in others unbelievable. That said, it still was suspenseful, fun to watch, and the plot had a few twists.

The acting by Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman was superb. The acting by the minor characters left lots to be desired. Still I would not call it a bad movie or view it as a waste of time, as I do many movies made today.

High Crimes is a courtroom/suspense/mystery, fast-paced, overall fun and entertaining. Rent it or buy it used and you'll be glad you did if your expectations are not too high.
***

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Waste of time...
Review: As much as I like Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, I really wanted to like this film. I enjoyed them in Kiss The Girls, and I expected another interesting film. Their performances were the only bright spot, but they couldn't rescue this movie. This film was so unbelievable and disjointed it made me want to scream. There was absolutely nothing in this film that was plausible. As many other reviewers noted (I only wish I had read the reviews before I wasted 2 hours with this celluloid pile of feces), it was so very predictable.

I rented 2 films yesterday, and I had trouble watching both of them, for very different reasons. The other film was "Monster", starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. I almost couldn't watch that film because it was so realistic and it just sucked me into the story and I forgot that it was a movie. It absolutely is a gripping story, and Ms. Theron richly deserved the Best Actress Oscar that she received for it. Conversely, I almost couldn't watch High Crimes because it was so ridiculous. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A taut legal thriller
Review: Joseph Finder's bestselling novel comes to life in this well-made, though somewhat predictable, thriller as a savvy and love-struck lawyer is pitted against the military and its covert actions. Ashley Judd plays Claire Kubik, a lawyer on the way to a partnership until her husband is arrested for a military crime he swears he didn't commit. To defend him, Claire must navigate military law and threats, getting in deeper and more dangerously with every half-truth she uncovers.

The plot has fewer holes than most thrillers, although most viewers will see the "twist" a mile away. And that a law firm would jettison one of its promising stars because her husband was arrested is preposterous. Wouldn't they help in the defense? Still, given the holes in most thrillers these days, these lapses are minor. The acting is solid, with Judd creating a gutsy, smart woman who is capable of both unfaltering love and fury. Morgan Freeman does a fine job with his thin material as a once-alcoholic lawyer who is "a thorn in the military's side." James Caveziel, as Claire's husband, is less complex; his pleading got on my nerves by the end. Supporting roles by Amanda Peet (Claire's floozy sister) and Adam Smith (a young military lawyer) are adequate, though not highly memorable.

The strength of this film is in the pacing and the seamless way in which it unfolds. The issues it raises about the United States's involvement in El Salvador provide an interesting, though not fully developed, frame. Highly enjoyable, though not perfect, this film is a good way to spend two hours with a bowl of popcorn at hand.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A script with holes but watchable!
Review: Who really believes a lawyer may defend to her husband? Weird jury. Don&acute;t you?
But if you let that point outside , you will watch an interesting film with a bit of film noir . Freeman plays an alcoholic lawyer who suddenly must accepth a defiant case .
Ashley Judd plays a convincing role ; she &acute;s one of the most beautiful actress in the world and many times the camera reminds us. However the script is surrounded of smart crossroads.
Watch James Caviezel as Ron Chapman . Carl Franklin is a consistent film maker.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: PREPOSTEROUS BUT ENJOYABLE
Review: There are so many things in this movie that just couldn't happen, starting with a wife and non-military lawyer, defending her husband, and the inconsistencies in the plot line. However, director Carl Franklin keeps the movie going so briskly and the cast is so good, that I overlooked these and found myself enjoying the movie very much.
Ashley Judd plays Claire Kubik, who discovers that her husband isn't who he says he is, and then has to confront her own doubts as she tries to save his life.

Morgan Freeman is the recovering alcoholic, former military attorney, who decides to help her out and keep off the juice.
Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) is Ashley's husband and his performance is deeply moving, yet somehow dark and disturbing.
Bruce Davison's small role as the big shot general, is coldly efficient.
Amanda Peet plays Ashley's somewhat self-centered sister to the tee, and Adam Smith as Embrey, the green lawyer assigned to the case, also does well.
HIGH CRIMES pulls a twist at the end that's kind of "cheap" but it does work.
Joseph Finder, the author of the book on which this movie was based, gives some interesting commentary on the extras, and even has a featured role in the film.
Not a bad way to spend a couple hours.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great movie, Great acting!!
Review: This is a perfect movie in every way. The acting is A++ and the plot is even better!! Ashley Judd plays the wife of a military man (Jim Caviezel) They are living a perfect life in a nice house when their world get turned upside down!! Judds husband is accused of killing a hand full of people when serving in El Salvador many years back. Judd cannot believe such a thing and she hires a lawer who knows how the military works. The lawyer played by Morgan Freeman is unsure about the case but then agrees to take it on. the story is filled lies, and threats and deception. It will keep you on the edge of your seat untill the very end, great movie top notch acting. 5 stars!!!!!


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