Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 12, 2026 3/4

Stellar performances, a quicksilver pace, and some modest surprises result in a satisfying night on the couch.

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Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) May 4, 2020 3/5

Another John Grisham book forms the basis for another decent (if not dazzling) courtroom drama.

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Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 9, 2019

It's [John] Grisham at his finest. Spellbinding. Riveting. Intriguing. Hackman, Hoffman, Cusack and Davison. Put me in that courtroom now.

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PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Mar 16, 2019 3/5

A lovely little dash of Hollywood hokum.

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David Germain Associated Press Nov 12, 2018

Director Gary Fleder's brisk, assured pacing also makes the implausibilities go down easier.

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 28, 2010 3/5

Legal thriller isn't aimed at kids.

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Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009

One of the most engrossing underrated legal thrillers in years...

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Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Jan 29, 2005 B+

...the best cinematic rendering of a Grisham novel ever, which is either saying a quite lot or very little at all, depending upon your view of things Grisham.

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Steve Crum Kansas City Kansan Oct 16, 2004 D

The film's action is limited to repeatedly ransacking Cusack's apartment, and the plot is rife with Big-Brother-is-watching paranoia.

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Tony Medley tonymedley.com Oct 7, 2004 6/10

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Joe Utichi FilmFocus Jul 20, 2004 78/100

The best Grisham adaptation yet, this one is definitely worth a look.

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Harry Guerin RTÉ (Ireland) Feb 13, 2004 2/5

A guilty pleasure for some, a waste of time for most.

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John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis Feb 6, 2004 7/10

...the first adaptation of a John Grisham novel whose premise and doings I found didn't ring true for a second. Yet I enjoyed the film from beginning to end. Go figure.

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James Verniere Boston Herald Feb 2, 2004 3/4

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Jay Richardson Future Movies UK Jan 23, 2004 7/10

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Neil Norman London Evening Standard Jan 17, 2004

Nothing is quite what it seems and the twists of the plot are played out in some style by director Gary Fleder, who delivers some flashy montage sequences and avoids most of the usual clichs of New Orleans location shooting.

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Jorge Avila Andrade Moviola Jan 9, 2004 3/4

'Buen thriller con una que otra vuelta de tornillo que seguramente dejar satisfecho a la mayora'

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