Presumed Innocent

Rating:
Summary: Pakula enters Hitchcock Territory
Review: "Presumed Innocent" enters Alfred Hitchcock territory about a prosecutor accused with the murder. Harrison Ford gives us even greater depth into his ability and establishment as an important "actor." This good film was directed by one of my favorites, Alan J. Pakula, who always delivers his films with believable performances and good narrative flow. Good score by John Williams as well!

Rating:
Summary: No one is every completely innocent...
Review: "Presumed Innocent" is one of those films where I can never get away from the fact that it is an adaptation of a novel I really enjoyed. Like one of my other favorite courtroom dramas of recent years, John Grisham's "The Rainmaker," I find myself acutely aware of everything that has been left out in translating Scott Turow's novel to the screen. For example, I am disappointed every time we have the direct examination regarding the glass with Rusty Sabich's fingerprint on it and the idea of the 13th glass is never brought up.

Consequently, I have to think I would have a better appreciation of this film if I had never read the novel. Certainly the film is able to take advantage of vocal nuances and ambiguous looks to play up the question of the guilt or innocence of Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford). I can easier imagine director Alan J. Pakula reshooting scenes so that the performances continue to convince every one in the audience that they are right, whether they think Rusty is guilty or innocent. Ford's minimalist style, not to mention the buzz hair cut, work well for his character, as does his sexual obsession with the dead woman, the fact of which precludes us from assuming his innocence. Of course, as an actor Ford has been one of the most heroic figures of our generation, but he amazing sheds that aura for this role. I do not think he cracks a smile once in this film, which does not give his "normal" screen persona a chance to break through. Along with "Witness," this is one of those films that Ford can point to as proof that he is a legitimate actor and not just a movie star (I also think his work here anticipates how he plays off of his image in "What Lies Beneath").

The rest of the first-rate cast follows Ford's lead in providing understated performances. Raul Julia as defense attorney Sandy Stern has to carry the courtroom scenes, which is fine, because the he smooth outclasses the prosecution team of Nico Della Gauardia (Tom Mardirosian) and Tommy Molto (Joe Grifasi); if only he could get his client to stop acting like a lawyer. His cross-examination of coroner "Painless" Kumagai (Sab Shimono) is still one of my favorite scenes in both the book and the film. Unfortunately most of best scenes for Paul Winfield's Judge Larren Lyttle never made it from the book to the movie. Bonnie Bedelia as Barbara Sabich has her own tightrope to walk, trying to be supportive of a husband during his murder trial when she cannot forgive him for his affair with the woman who was brutally murdered. Greta Scacchi as the deceased, Caroline Polhemus, is seen only in flashbacks but amply personifies the woman who manages to be hot and cold at the same time and who used her sexuality to advance her career. John Spencer as Detective Lipranzer does his usually solid job with the role of the one person who Rusty Sabich can still trust. Brian Dennehy is perfectly cast as Raymond Horgan, Rusty's boss, who is always trying to catch the political winds in his sails to cover his own behind.

As much as I want to take screenwriters Pakula and Frank Pierson to task for the myriad omission neccessitated by a film trying to come in as close to 2 hours in length as possible, I do want to applaud their reworking of the final act in terms of revealing the truth to the viewers. The key moment, which comes down to a nice combination of a pull back shot and a line of dialogue, is a nice culmination of the film's climate of doubt. To some degree I actually like the changes the film comes up with for the explanation scene.

"Presumed Innocent" is a compelling courtroom drama because it juggles at the same time not only the question of whether or not the main character will be convicted, but also the key question of whether or not he committed the crime in question. The success of this film rests entirely on how long it can keep the audience guessing with regards to either one of those questions, especially once one of them is actually answered. Again, I think those who have not read the novel will like it more than those of us in other column and I would certainly urge you to read the Scott Turow novel if you have not.

Rating:
Summary: Very good film
Review: A terrific movie, scores high on every level. Harrison Ford gives one of best performances and the late Raul Julia is also a standout in one of the supporting roles. The film gradually builds up suspense, is in no way overlong and has a surprise ending to boot. Catch this one if you can.

Rating:
Summary: Presumed Innocent - Presumed Excellence
Review: Among the many reasons to this this suspensful courtroom drama is the performance of Raul Julia.

I shall forever be convinced he should have received as oscar for his performance as attorney Sandy Stern.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent criminal law thriller
Review: As a thriller this is top notch; as any kind of a movie it is also top notch. Based on Scott Turow's best-selling novel of the same name (his first), it relies on a well-coordinated directorial effort by Alan J. Pakula (Sophie's Choice 1982, All the President's Men 1976, Klute 1971, etc.), a fine script by Frank Pierson (whose credits include Cool Hand Luke 1967, Dog Day Afternoon 1975, A Star Is Born 1976, etc.), and an experienced, talented and well-directed cast headed by Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, Greta Scacchi and Paul Winfield.

Ford plays Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor compromised by his sexual obsession with a fellow prosecutor, Caroline Polhemus (Scacchi) who is found murdered as the film opens. We see her in flashback as a conniving mantrap who uses her wiles to further her career. Sabich is assigned to the case by his boss, Raymond Horgan (Dennehy) who is up for reelection. Sabich would like to recuse himself but Horgan demands that he take the case and get the perp "yesterday" otherwise they will all be out a job because he will lose the election. Bedelia, looking particularly beguiling, plays Sabich's sexually frustrated and deeply hurt wife, Barbara.

When the election is lost the new prosecutors arrest Sabich and charge him with murder. He is defended by the very smooth Raul Julia who plays defense attorney Sandy Stern. Paul Winfield, in a somewhat flamboyant style, plays Judge Larren Lyttle.

Because Scott Turow knows the way the law works in practice as well as in theory, he having been a lawyer before he became a best-selling writer, we are treated to wood paneled intrigues and courtroom theatrics that have the unmistakable feel of authenticity. The dialogue is veracious and the character cross-currents vividly real. Ford gives what I think is one of his best performances as a man tormented by his infidelity and caught in a vise of circumstance largely stemming from that infidelity. Dennehy is a big-mouthed and big-headed politician in the familiar Windy City style. Raul Julia's Sandy Stern is cosmopolitan and brilliant, cynical and slick, a kind of Latin Johnny Cochran. Bedelia, whom I recall best as Shirley Muldowney in Heart Like a Wheel (1983) manages a delicate (and slightly unbelievable) persona with just the right amount of forbearance so that when the surprise ending comes we almost believe it.

I say "almost," but you might want to judge for yourself.

See this for Harrison Ford who plays a foolish and morally compromised man with just the sort of right stuff and disarming vulnerability we've come to expect from one of Hollywood's most popular leading men.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent criminal law thriller
Review: As a thriller this is top notch; as any kind of a movie it is also top notch. Based on Scott Turow's best-selling novel of the same name (his first), it relies on a well-coordinated directorial effort by Alan J. Pakula (Sophie's Choice 1982, All the President's Men 1976, Klute 1971, etc.), a fine script by Frank Pierson (whose credits include Cool Hand Luke 1967, Dog Day Afternoon 1975, A Star Is Born 1976, etc.), and an experienced, talented and well-directed cast headed by Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, Greta Scacchi and Paul Winfield.

Ford plays Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor compromised by his sexual obsession with a fellow prosecutor, Caroline Polhemus (Scacchi) who is found murdered as the film opens. We see her in flashback as a conniving mantrap who uses her wiles to further her career. Sabich is assigned to the case by his boss, Raymond Horgan (Dennehy) who is up for reelection. Sabich would like to recuse himself but Horgan demands that he take the case and get the perp "yesterday" otherwise they will all be out a job because he will lose the election. Bedelia, looking particularly beguiling, plays Sabich's sexually frustrated and deeply hurt wife, Barbara.

When the election is lost the new prosecutors arrest Sabich and charge him with murder. He is defended by the very smooth Raul Julia who plays defense attorney Sandy Stern. Paul Winfield, in a somewhat flamboyant style, plays Judge Larren Lyttle.

Because Scott Turow knows the way the law works in practice as well as in theory, he having been a lawyer before he became a best-selling writer, we are treated to wood paneled intrigues and courtroom theatrics that have the unmistakable feel of authenticity. The dialogue is veracious and the character cross-currents vividly real. Ford gives what I think is one of his best performances as a man tormented by his infidelity and caught in a vise of circumstance largely stemming from that infidelity. Dennehy is a big-mouthed and big-headed politician in the familiar Windy City style. Raul Julia's Sandy Stern is cosmopolitan and brilliant, cynical and slick, a kind of Latin Johnny Cochran. Bedelia, whom I recall best as Shirley Muldowney in Heart Like a Wheel (1983) manages a delicate (and slightly unbelievable) persona with just the right amount of forbearance so that when the surprise ending comes we almost believe it.

I say "almost," but you might want to judge for yourself.

See this for Harrison Ford who plays a foolish and morally compromised man with just the sort of right stuff and disarming vulnerability we've come to expect from one of Hollywood's most popular leading men.

Rating:
Summary: Docket Drama
Review: Based on author Scott Turow's bestselling novel, which I have never read, Presumed Innocent is a good film that makes for an engaging mystery/thriller. Thanks to an all star cast and a surehanded director, the movie has a lot going for it.

Prosecuting attorney Rusty Sabich, (Harrisn Ford) is deeply shaken by the sudden rape and murder of a colleague and former love interest (Greta Sachi). The case takes a dramatic turn, when Rusty is soon charged with crime, by his boss, Raymond Horgon (Brian Dennehy). Lawyer Sandy Stern (Raul Julia), decides to defend Sabich, even though the odds are stacked against his client.

Pakula, who made a name for himself with All The President's Men, creates another potbiler, that if you have never read the book, will keep you guessing till the end. The acting is superb. Bonnie Bedelia took a break from the Die Hard films to play Barbara Sabich, giving one of the best performances of her career. The film gets a boost of comic relief, from the late great Paul Winfield as no nonsense Judge Larren Lyttle.

The DVD doesn't really have any susbtantial extras. The disc only has a few production notes and the theatrical trailer. Viewers can watch the film in either the full-screen or widescreen formats.

Presumed Innocent is a worthwhile film and despite lackluster extras on the disc, it's still comes recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Legel Thrillers ever filmed.
Review: Harrison Ford and Raul Julia star in a complex legel drama where a man in the legel system (Ford) is accused of murdering one of his co-workers in the procustor's office. Julia plays the defense attorney who defends him. Great performances by the whole cast which includes Paul Winfield. It shows us a legel system that is incredibly flawed and corrupt, however the sad fact is, this might be with how the legel system really is, and is not just the invention of Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: Cornered by the Fates
Review: Harrison Ford gives a riveting performance of a man cornered by fate, with so many facts staring him in the face that it is hard for others to believe that he has not killed femme fatale Greta Scacchi, his co-worker in the public prosecutor's office who abruptly terminated an affair with him when he refused to try and take his boss Brian Dennehy's job away from him and provide her with the top deputy's post. The femme fatale prosecutor, highly ambitious, also had an affair with Dennehy as well as Paul Winfield, the judge who presides over Ford's murder trial.

As typical in legal circles, a cornered defendant lawyer seeking to prove his or her innocence to a jury hires a respected adversary to defend his or her cause. After all, who has a better idea of a lawyer's worth than someone who has tangled in courtroom battle with that same individual? In this case prosecutor Ford calls on talented defense attorney Raul Julia to represent him. Ford is crushed to quickly learn after hiring Julia that Dennehy, the boss he refused to conspire against, after losing a bid for reelection reveals that he will testify against his former chief assistant.

Also coming into the fascinating mix is the neurotic wife of Ford, played by Bonnie Bedelia, who was well aware of his tryst with his fellow prosecutor. Bedelia plays a key role in the drama which is not resolved until after Ford's trial has played itself out.

Director Alan J. Pakula, the master of suspense filmmaking who previously gave us "All The President's Men" and "Klute," keeps the action moving at a quick pace. The trial scenes are particularly well done and move briskly. The adversary nature of a hard-nosed murder trial is convincingly presented.

Rating:
Summary: Presumed Good.
Review: Harrison Ford is good at the everyman roles because he strikes you as an everyman. One of my sister's (many, many, uncountable number of) friends met Ford on a beach in America sometime last year; they talked for a while as they sat on the beach. Ford was tired of being harrassed by rabid fans and he just wanted someone to confide in as a normal person might do.

I think that's the key to so many of his best roles. Even when he played a deranged psycho killer in "What Lies Beneath" he seemed like Average John Smith. And, in his most famous - and best - role, as Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, he was still the everyman college professor who happened to be a superhero archaeologist when called into action. And even then he was a reluctant hero, not exactly like "Superman" but more of a "Batman" or "Spider-Man" or Jack Sparrow; a hero not necessarily eager to help out, but a hero who knew it was his destiny to do so and carried out what he had to do with some sort of dry humor necessary to keep the character alive.

Harry's an assistant state attorney in "Presumed Innocent" - charged for the murder of a beautiful young woman who used to be a mistress and who was recently found dead, slaughtered by someone who left behind little clues. And what little clues that were left behind all point to him as the murderer.

Rusty (Ford) is happily married to Barbara (Bonnie Bedalia), but he's been having an on-the-side romance with Carolyn (Greta Scacchi). She stopped the affair before it got too far, and that is the courtroom prosecutors' motive for Rusty. His phone bills indicate that he called her the same day she was murdered, and at the scene of the crime was found a glass stained with his fingerprints and his own semen.

Evidence like this would throw a man right into jail, but Rusty has a great defense lawyer in Sandy Stern (the late Raul Julia), who is confident to prove that Rusty is not the murderer. But if this is the truth, then how does all the evidence point directly to him?

The film is based on the novel by Scott Turow, and its adaptation makes you wish that the filmmakers behind all of Grisham's books would get it right, too. But in all fairness, and as much as I enjoy Grisham's writing, he's typically thin on actual plots, and it is his writing style that intices the reader and draws him in so you are unable to stop turning the pages. Perhaps that is why the big-screen adaptations always fail -- film is an entirely different medium than literature, which too many Hollywood executives forget these days.

Crichton novels generally make good because Michael Crichton is an extraordinary researcher, able to make the most insane plots seem utterly real. Stephen King, on the other hand, relies on old horror genre cliches in his writing that typically do not translate well to the screen (I mean no offense to these writers, they may be good at what they do, but the fact is that some novels should not be given screen treatments).

Scott Turow's controversial novel has been done justice. This is a smart, suspenseful, tightly-woven mystery/thriller with a strong plot and characters who seem quite real and attachable. It feels like an older film than it is -- not in terms of technology but rather in terms of feeling. Hitchcock couldn't have done a better job with this material. Well...maybe.

The only real problem with this movie is Harrison Ford's haircut (he looks like he stuck his head under an active lawnmower), but that's an entirely different story.