If legal thrillers and drama are your preferences, then this one will surely make your night. Starring great actors with John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz in the movie, this is a powerhouse collaboration. Its not often you see the names of Hoffman and Hackman on the movie poster.
The storyline is heavy here as the main premise is a legal battle against a firearms manufacturer. Guns as the main point is a touchy subject in America as everyone has its stand. Gun lovers say its a right to arm oneself while the opposites try to make it harder for citizens to own guns. In the movie, a man shoots his former officemates and his superiors before taking his own in the process. In a subsequent move, the widow of one of those killed files a case against the firearms company who sold the gun to her husband's killer. A very emotional thriller starts.
Then comes in Rachel Weisz' character, Marlee who offers her services to the opposing sides lawyers, Rankin Fitch (played by Gene Hackman) and Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman). She promises both she can steer the Jury to the one who pays the highest. Of course she can do this as she has Nick Easter (played by John Cusack) in the the jury. Of course the lawyers want proof if Nick and Marlee can do this and along the trial they deliver proving their point.
The movie is heavily laden with heavy drama that this movie lacks action scenes. If you are not into heavy talking, then steer away from this one. Albeit talking, each scene is needed to achieve its purpose, how the case was handled by the court with the both lawyers trying to win. The beauty of the drama here is that it shows the scenarios happening within the jury, the judge, the lawyers and the people trying to manipulate everything.
This is thinking movie to watch and you might be tired after playing this. A movie with a purpose this movie hits a homerun with the viewers being shown the process of gun ownership and its effects if that gun falls into wrong hands.
We love this movie but I can't suggest it for your movie marathon with friends. When you are with friends, you want either comedy or action. Only law students can use this movie for bonding moments. :)
