Runaway Jury, The
Rating = B
This adaptation of the Grishom book
of the same name is done in a craftsmanlike manner, both in terms of the
adaptation and the film making.
The movie is noteworthy because it is the first movie Dustin Hoffman and Gene
Hackman have appeared in the same movie, even though they have been friends
since they were first in acting school and struggling young actors. Neither of
them is working very hard in this movie. They have only one scene together,
and it was interesting to me that a typical Hoffman performance plays less well
than a typical Hackman performance. Hoffman may need more meat in a role (and
more weirdness) for him to shine. Hackman has bigger and more important role
in this movie and his basic performance provides sufficient malevolence for the
role he is playing. It would be nice to have seen how they compared when each
was each was giving his top level performance.
While I am speaking about the actors: John Cusack and Rachel Weisz also give
good basic performances. In her case, I continue to be impressed with how many
English, Australian, and New Zealand actors and actresses can sound completely
American to me.
[2003-11-14]