Rating: 
Summary: One of Coppola's cannier works.
Review: 'The Rain Maker' is Coppola's most engaging film in years. It is a curiously inert one - the plot is an extended take on a hundred episodes of 'Quincy', so there is little suspense; there is no character development, each character almost exactly the same finishing as beginning, give or take a few bruises. Matt Damon is so stolid, he could only be a man of unimpeachable integrity, a Gregory Peck for the new millenium in the body of Rock Hudson. There is absolutely no conflict for the audience - the bad guys are slickly, callously, cynically evil, with every sordid revelation of their business practice only confirming this: they are all caricatures, albeit enjoyable ones. The good guys are almost angelic. There's nothing wrong with al this - it's nice, in these exhaustingly globalising times, to assert the values of 'little people' against monstrous corporations, even if we have to get all Capra-sentimental to do it, even if we've to deny humanity and truth.So why, in spite of all this, is 'Rain' so enjoyable? Is it the cast of practised professionals doing their thing? Partly, if you like your crime dramas spliced with 'Around the World in 80 Days'. Is it Coppola's uncharacteristically relaxed storytelling, giving each scene space without imposing heavy meaning on it, pushing the story along at a quick pace, emphasising the comic and the playful? Definitely. But there's more. Despite its professional proficiency, 'Rain' is not just an anonymous Coppola director-for-hire assignment. There are shades of 'the Godfather' in the pastiche-Gordon Willis murky cinematography, the emphasis on (alternative) 'family' values over the threats of the outside world, and the use of the crime genre to explore the dark centre of American corporate, legal and governmental power. But the Coppola film 'Rain' most resembles is 'Apocalypse Now', albeit in diluted form. Like Willard, Rudy tells his own story, trying to control messy experience. He is less honest than Willard, and winds up looking like the beacon of integrity he sees himself as, full of sententious self-importance. But Coppola emphasises the Southern Gothic inherent in Grisham's narrative. The principle of Gothic is opposed to that of Law and Reason, and one of the best scenes here shows the signing of a legal document, which makes Rudy look like an exploiter, turn into something from horror, a nosebleed, disintegration of the body, blood all over the document. The crucial scene - where Rudy fights against the wife-beating husband of the woman he loves - is deeply shocking, reason and legality giving way to violence and desire, as he finds a cowardly way to get the girl bypassing a lengthy legal process. It's the old Lawrence adage about American literature, the disparity between the teller and the tale, making 'Rain' infinitely more fascinating than its bland courtroom surface.
Rating: 
Summary: Great legal drama
Review: I've seen the Firm, I've seen A Time To Kill, and I've seen A Civil Action. This is better than all of them in terms of depicting a serious civil action law suit and a wide-eyed fresh out of law school lawyer. This movie was before Matt Damon became MATT DAMON and shows (along with Courage Under Fire) why he deserves the acclaim that he gets. He delivers a great subtle performance. His character is sincere, earnest, and eager to learn and seek justice, yet not the typical righteous caricature that movies often make lawyers (arrogant seekers of truth). The battered love interest story line is a bit unnecessary, but this movie is definately worth your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Something for everyone.
Review: In The Rainmaker, Matt Damon plays a first-time lawyer. He enters the popular, competitive profession with honorable intentions. His character, Rudy Bailer, says he entered the legal profession to become a respected defender of civil rights. Coincedentally, his father has a hatred of lawyers. Rudy confides in the viewer that he "didn't become a lawter to piss [his] father off, it just worked out that way." Rudy's first case gets him in over his head when his clients sue Great Benefit Insurance, Inc. because they denied a legitimate claim. His client's son, Billy Ray, has lukemia and the insurance company refused to pay their claim, hoping the insured wouldn't consult a lawter. The company is obviously in-the-wrong and their corruption comes out during the trial in the dramatic courtroom scenes. A bittersweet ending follows the case's final verdict, adding a nice twist to the plot. The movie was interesting and enjoyable to watch. It has a little something for everyone: suspense, humor, romance, and action. This movie can be recommended for the majority of movie-going audiences and most will leave satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: An Average Movie
Review: Although the premise was of interest, the movie did not deliver. There were some memorable quotes, though.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of John Grishams more interesting movies.
Review: Even though this is dealing with legal stuff, John Grisham seems to find a way to make it interesting. I think Matt Damon was a good choice to play the part as the rookie lawyer. I also found it funny how Danny Devito flunked the bar exam seven times, and Matt passed it on his first try, and Matt has Danny helping him. Matt was sworn in by a fool and vouched for by scoundrel. The part about the boy's testimony is touching. I would recomend this movie to anyone who likes good movies or is fan of John Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Francis Ford Coppola Does Justice to the Grisham Novel
Review: Upon renting "The Rainmaker", I had numerous doubts concerning if I would enjoy the film. I new Mr. Damon had strong acting talents that will lead him many more years, but the film looked, well, boring. I had never taken the time to read the novel, but I was well aware of its success.During the film, I could not take my eyes off the screen. "The Rainmaker" is an excellent film and casted superbly. Danny Devito did a wonderful job as Mr. Damon's partner who just can't pass the Bar Exam. After watching the movie you can't imagine who else would have played his part. It is an extremely gratifying movie that is both creative and heart-aching. I recommend "The Rainmaker" as one of the strongest films of 1997.
Rating:
Summary: A good (not great) movie
Review: All of John Grisham's novels, and the movies made of them, are David and Goliath stories. They all smack of facile liberalism, are full of questionable plot developments, and are 100% predictable. The Rainmaker is no exception, but it has several things going for it that The Firm, The Client, etc. don't. First of all, Coppola establishes and maintains an atmosphere that is always compelling. He may be slumming, but he's not compromising. Second, the cast. Frances Ford Coppola is obviously revered enough in the movie business that he can get the very best among actors, be they famous or not. Matt Damon gives an excellent performance, but I don't agree with anyone who says it's his show. True, Danny DeVito is effectively typecast, but the rest of the cast really acts: Mary Kay Place (a scandalously underrated character actress), Danny Glover, Claire Danes, Mickey Rourke, Virginia Madsen, Jon Voight, Andrew Shue, Dean Stockwell are all at the top of their form. My favorite was Teresa Wright, who plays Miss Birdie: she was in the movie version of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes, in which there was a character named Birdie. A delicious little inside joke, and Ms. Wright is excellent. Third, the musical score, by the estimable Elmer Bernstein. All in all, a good movie, but not a great one.
Rating:
Summary: One of the year's best. A definite purchase!
Review: This is really the only Grisham adaptation that I have absolutely loved. A Time to Kill was ok but not exceptional. It's a classic David vs. Goliath story and on the surface might appear as more of the same old thing. If the movie is predictable (and i'm not saying that it is) you (the viewer) really won't care because Coppola's direction, the script, and the great performances transform it into a movie with tremendous heart, drama, humor, and even a little action and suspense. I have yet to see a Matt Damon film that I haven't liked. For me he's an actor whose work I will go to see without any knowledge about the film other than his presence in it. (Check out Rounders for a film of similar quality). Danny Devito is hilarious (as always). A must see film.
Rating:
Summary: It's got everything.
Review: I'm going to start by admitting that I'm not a very big fan of dramas. Generally. This movie, however, rises above the rest. It's well written, well acted and well worth owning. Get it today!
Rating:
Summary: This is Damon's show.
Review: Matt Damon was a relative unknown when he was tapped to play the hero of "The Rainmaker", based on a novel by John Grisham & directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was a twist of fate that launched Damon's career and definitely lifted this movie. (Ironically, Matthew McConaughey got his start the same way- being an unknown cast in a movie based on a Grisham novel.) The plot is a classic David-vs-Goliath story- fresh out of law school Matt Damon sues an insurance company for denying treatment to a family with cancer. Ultimately Damon triumphs- the righteous cause succees and the system works. Damon is a major talent, as evidenced by his performance in this film. He's shy, unsure of himself, but basically a good person committed to doing what's right. I wasn't too impressed by the rest of the cast- Claire Danes is a talented actress but fails to shine here. Danny DeVito is okay as Damon's law partner, and Jon Voight comes across as a none-too-interesting arrogant villain. The rest of the cast? Nobody stands out- this is Damon's show. What impressed me about "The Rainmaker" was its hard, unflinching portrayal of the legal profession. A lawyer's life is not glamorous and does not necessarily guarantee a huge paycheck. Those quick to criticize lawyers ought to take some law courses before they open their mouths- the road to becoming a lawyer is rough and a considerable commitment of both your time and financial resources. Despite his law degree, Damon's financial picture at the beginning of the film is decidedly precarious. Watch "The Rainmaker" along with "A Civil Action" and "Erin Brockovich" to get a pretty good idea about the way the law works & how courts give the little people an avenue to even up with big shots like corporations and insurance companies. Watch this movie in particular to see a terrific performance from Matt Damon.
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