Presumed Innocent (1990) User Reviews (121)

Gripping Character-Driven Thriller

[JamesHitchcock · 7/10 · 12 June 2005]

When Carolyn Polhemus, a young prosecutor employed by the District Attorney of an American city, is found murdered, the job of investigating her murder is given to Rusty Sabich, one of her colleagues and her former lover. The DA, who is shortly coming up for re-election, wants quick results, but Sabich seems to be making slow progress. The DA is defeated in the election, and Sabich finds himself arrested by his successor and charged with the murder. The evidence against him initially seems strong, but more questions emerge during his trial. Is he really guilty? Is someone trying to frame him? If so, who? Was the murder connected to an investigation which Carolyn was pursuing into judicial corruption? Or was it connected to her complex sex life? We learn, through flashbacks, the story of her affair with Sabich and that she was promiscuous, sleeping with a number of influential men who could help her career, including not only Sabich but also the DA himself.

Besides being a legal thriller, "Presumed Innocent" is also a study in contrasts in character- either contrasts between two different persons or between the inner and outer person. Harrison Ford is often good at playing rather stolid individuals who have difficulty in showing their feelings but whose impassive exterior can hide powerful emotions. Norman Spencer in "What Lies Beneath" was one such individual; Sabich is another. Both are men whose life spins out of control after they become involved in extramarital affairs. Fortunately for Sabich, he has someone to take control on his behalf, his smooth and fluent defence lawyer Sandy Stern. Ford and Raul Julia, who plays Stern, form a double act in the second half of the film, both playing their parts very well. Sabich and Stern are both lawyers, but with very different characters and different approaches to the law. Sabich is determined to tell the truth as he sees it; the wily Stern sees the law as a game to be won on behalf of his client rather than a search for truth. If winning involves preventing the truth from emerging, so be it.

There is also a contrast between Sabich and his former lover Carolyn. While he is undemonstrative but inwardly emotional, she is outwardly seductive and flirtatious but inwardly cold-hearted. Both Sabich's wife Barbara, seemingly noble and forgiving, and the judge who tries his case, may have hidden secrets. Raymond Horgan, the DA, initially seems to be a friend of Sabich, but later turns against him when his self-interest dictates.

This concentration on character pays off, raising the film above the run-of-the-mill legal thriller. Contrasts between the various characters, and their inner conflicts, give rise to a gripping courtroom drama, one of the best in recent years. The pace of the film never flagged, and it held my attention throughout. The ending (which I will not reveal) has been criticised as either predictable or implausible. In my view it was perhaps unlikely, but neither completely unbelievable nor inconsistent with what has gone before. I certainly did not predict it. This is a tense and watchable drama. 7/10

Exciting Courtroom Drama

[senortuffy · 8/10 · 28 February 2004]

This is a very good film centering around a murder investigation and trial involving a chief deputy DA and a beautiful, young attorney in his office who is found murdered one morning. The direction, screenplay, and acting are all top notch and you never really know how it's going to turn out til the very end.

Harrison Ford is the deputy DA accused of murdering one of the female attorneys in his office. Ford's character is that of a strident upholder of the law who strays into marital infidelity. Caroline Polhemus, played by Greta Scacchi, is beautiful and manipulative, using her sexuality to get what she wants, career advancement and power.

Ford is assigned to head the murder investigation team, however, his boss, played by Brian Dennehy, loses his re-election bid a few weeks later and the new district attorney charges Ford with Caroline's murder. He knows Ford had had an affair with the victim and has physical evidence that he was at the murder scene and had been placing phone calls to her apartment in the days prior to her death.

The continuing investigation by Harrison Ford's team of lawyers and his friends in the DA's office and the trial highlight the remainder of this film. Events take strange twists and turns and the viewer is taken along for the ride without really knowing where it will take him. The ending is a bit of a surprise and neatly ties everything together.

The direction by Alan J. Pakula is tight and suspenseful. I thought it was his best film since the early days when he directed "Klute" and "The Parallax View" - certainly better than the muddled "Pelican Brief." The overriding theme of the movie is darkness, people hiding secrets from one another, and the direction emphasizes that. There are very few outdoor daytime scenes and most of the interior shots are of dark rooms and corridors.

Harrison Ford is good in the role of the besieged deputy DA, but I thought the secondary actors were the ones who made this picture as good as it was. Raul Julia plays Ford's attorney defending him in court and he's excellent (I thought it was his best role in any film). He's urbane and confident, and he steers the defense through a very difficult set of circumstances.

Bonnie Bedelia plays Ford's wife and her character is much more complex than that of the supportive wife standing by her man. She also has dark secrets of her own and she plays the part with sly understatement. John Spencer ("L.A. Law") plays an investigator in the DA's office helping Ford, Brian Dennehy plays Ford's boss who turns on him, and Paul Winfield plays the judge handling the trial, and all are excellent.

My only criticisms would come from Harrison Ford's character, who is so emotionally detached that it makes the circumstances of the affair with Greta Scacchi unbelievable. He's not an easy person to identify with or feel sympathy for, but the film is so well done that you can easily skip over that void and just sit back and enjoy the performances.

Love - it's a killer.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 31 May 2011]

Presumed Innocent is directed by Alan J. Pakula, who also co-adapts for the screen with Frank Pierson from the Scott Turow novel. It stars Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Bonnie Bedelia, Raúl Juliá, Paul Winfield, John Spencer and Greta Scacchi. Music is scored by John Williams and Richard Wolf, and cinematography is by Gordon Willis.

Prosecuting attorney Rusty Sabich (Ford) suddenly finds himself a murder suspect after his one time lover, Carolyn Polhemus (Scacchi), is found raped and murdered in her home. As the evidence piles up against him, and his marriage comes under further strain, Rusty hires top lawyer Sandy Stern (Juliá) to represent him when the case goes to trial. Battling the system that he knows inside out, Rusty finds that there's a big can of worms about to be opened.

A tip top court room mystery drama that we could do with seeing more of these days. Expertly strung together by the director of All the Presidents Men and Sophie's Choice, Presumed Innocent isn't just a by the numbers legal who done it? The makers get in deep with the political machinations of a district attorney's office, the intricate steps of a police investigation, and of course the legal eagle operations of a court room. In to the mix is an horrendous crime, of which a lawyer himself is charged with committing, he may or may not be guilty of the crime, but wonderfully we are never sure until the astonishing finale plays out. The air of mystery hangs heavy throughout, nagging away like an itch you can't scratch, with Pakula neatly unfolding the drama in a collage of flashbacks, side-plots and present time intricacies. Mood is heightened by the photography of Gordon Willis, who along with Pakula's looming camera work, manages to convey a claustrophobic feel in keeping with an unstable marriage and a court room itself.

A great cast is assembled for the picture. Ford expertly plays it low key, brooding intently, he makes us unsure as to his guilt or innocence, and that's a testament to how good his performance is. Bedelia is excellent as the stoic wife, holding it together as the marital cracks begin to appear, and Juliá dominates the second half of the picture as we shift to the court room. Dennehy does a nice line in morally compromised smarm, and Scacchi wonderfully exudes a femme fatale sexuality. Winfield is a mighty presence as the judge presiding over such a tricky case, and Spencer is as reliable as ever. Only disappointments come with the performances of Joe Grifasi and Tom Mardirosian, who as the prosecutors come across as wimpy and hardly brick tight lawyers trying a high profile murder case.

An intense and intellectual adult drama, Presumed Innocent is one of the best of its type from the modern era. 8.5/10

A court drama that works well.

[filipemanuelneto · 7/10 · 2 February 2020]

This film is just another courtroom drama, where a prosecutor, a fairly ordinary and straightforward fellow, is accused of the brutal death of a colleague with whom, after all, he had had an affair.

The plot starts in a cold way and takes a while to catch our attention, there is really nothing that holds us and the film looks like it is going to suck. But after we enter the courtroom things really start to get interesting. We followed all the lawyers' arguments and the dialogue with the judge, the pace becomes more pleasant and faster and the twists and turns are taking place, endangering the life of that man who, after all, just wished that his wife had not heard of that stab in the marriage.

Harrison Ford is very good when he has to give life to ordinary men but to whom things happen. It is on him that much of the burden of the film falls, depending on his good performance. Beside him, we have a good and discreet Bonnie Bedelia and a sensual Greta Scacchi, with whom the actor gets good sexual chemistry. Raul Julia shone as a lawyer and Paul Winfield also does not do badly in the role of the judge.

Not being a very technical film, it is based mostly on the story it tells, and on the excellent performance of the actors. It may not be one of the court films that has aged better, as it is truly forgotten these days, but it deserves to be seen and appreciated for what it is.

Never presume anything

[Altaira · 1 July 1999]

Since it's Harrison Ford on trial for the murder of his coworker/mistress, and most everyone loves Harrison Ford, you want to believe he's innocent. But that belief is never a sure thing in "Presumed Innocent": a gripping, suspenseful whodunit that keeps you guessing mercilessly. All the leads here are right on target, especially Ford as the mumbling, elusive murder defendant. Most importantly, all the main players are ambiguous in one way or another, and while I certainly will not give away the ending (which is a beauty, I promise you) keep that in mind as you watch. Can you trust anyone??

The final scene was shocking and thought-provoking. And I couldn't help but think of the title, "Presumed Innocent." Naturally.

Gripping courtroom drama

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 5 September 2016]

PRESUMED INNOCENT is a gripping courtroom drama that feels like a Perry Mason episode given big bucks treatment. It stars Harrison Ford in one of his sympathetic 'everyman hero' type roles as an attorney who is asked to investigate the brutal rape and murder of a female colleague with whom he had a rather complicated history. What follows is a thriller packed with twists and turns and great acting from the supporting cast, none of whom put a foot wrong. I really enjoy these court thrillers that get to the heart of the justice system as they're just as exciting as more routine action-based thrillers. PRESUMED INNOCENT boasts exemplary direction, fast pacing, and intelligent dialogue thanks to the literate script; it's obvious the writer has done their job properly. However, as a character-focused drama, this works best thanks a whole slew of fine acting performances.

Ford is great when he's playing it worried and on the edge. He's subdued here, but his flawed hero is one you can really root for. Greta Scacchi is an electrifying presence although only used in flashback, and Bonnie Bedelia plays another strong wife role. Paul Winfield is excellent as the judge and I wish he'd been used better throughout his career. Brian Dennehy has a small but intense and important role. I also liked John Spencer's likable turn as Ford's buddy. Even the kid from JURASSIC PARK is in this one and giving a strong performance. Best of all is the delightful Raul Julia in the best role I've seen from him as the dedicated defence lawyer. PRESUMED INNOCENT is a film that keeps you guessing throughout and ends on a satisfying and surprising way.

I'll take it

[PacmanKO88 · 7/10 · 3 August 2021]

I don't know that I've ever seen a "perfect" depiction in a movie as far as how things really work in police investigations and in the courtroom.

Sometimes there are errors so blatant and ridiculous that it ruins the film. But with Presumed Innocent, I was able to quickly overlook things I felt were maybe questionable, because the plot and twists and acting were engaging enough to overcome these minor shortcomings.

Overall, this was an engrossing film which kept me engaged for the entire two hours, and I would recommend it.

Presume Nothing

[gcd70 · 8/10 · 1 June 2007]

From Scott Turow's successful novel came this tense drama about a man accused of the rape and murder of a legal colleague with whom he had previously had an affair.

Alan J. Pakula's direction, along with strong performances by Harrison Ford, Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, Brian Dennehy and all the other supporting cast, contribute strongly to a film that keeps you guessing until the very end; which by the way, will shock the sox off ya.

This is a thriller that never gets out of hand, or goes over the top. All credit to Alan J. Pakula and Frank Pierson's adaptation. Great down to earth stuff.

Sunday, June 16, 1991 - Video

Well acted drama; a tad too long

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 3 May 2013]

I love the Indiana Jones films. But, in terms of Harrison Ford, they sometimes overshadow what I will refer to as his more serious films. So when I see a film like "42", or this one, I appreciate Harrison Ford's acting ability even more.

One of the ways that I know this is a good film is that -- aside from Ford -- most of the actors are people I don't really care for. Brian Dennehy is usually a turn-off for me, but I have to admit that here he was very good as the head prosecuting attorney. I generally don't like or dislike Raúl Juliá, but here as the attorney defending Ford, he was excellent. Bonnie Bedelia, as Ford's wife, is an actress I give little thought to, and here she does her job. Paul Winfield is competent and interesting as the judge. Greta Scacchi, as the murder victim and Ford's colleague is good, and generally she turns in pretty solid performances, though she seems to generally be under Hollywood's radar.

The script here is very good, particularly with the courtroom scenes that dominate the second half of the film. I do think that the film drags a little in places, particularly in the first half. Considering the film's 127 minute run time, there could have been some editing to tighten the action. There are a couple of nice twists, and all the loose ends are tied together before closure.

Nevertheless, overall this is a class act (so to speak), and well worth your time. Highly recommended.

Excellent criminal law thriller

[DennisLittrell · 9/10 · 23 August 2003]

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.

(Note: Over 500 of my movie reviews are now available in my book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote!" Get it at Amazon!)

He Goes Too Far!

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 5 November 2010]

This is an OK movie, but it never captured my attention as it should have. Part of it is the obsessive nature of its main character, played by Harrison Ford. He can't separate himself from a memory and a relationship that may or may not have been there. A dead woman really calls the shots here as does some sloppy police work. He finds himself with a murder charge directed at him and little support from his bosses. There are some end of the story shenanigans which you can see for yourself. But, ultimately, I never quite got involved in the depth of Harrison Ford's despair. He generally can pull me in with that pained expression. It just didn't happen.

Excellent legal drama

[perfectbond · 8/10 · 27 November 2003]

Presumed Innocent presents a stiff challenge to its principal actors. Many of them must read their lines and convey body language that is ambiguous, suggesting both guilt or innocence and good or evil. The talented cast accomplishes this superbly. The story (based on a book of the same name which I haven't read) intelligently and knowledgeably examines the morality of the legal system and how it is compromised because of human fallibility. All in all, this was a very engrossing motion picture. Strongly recommended, 8/10.

for a good part of the first half this really looks as if it is going somewhere.

[christopher-underwood · 7/10 · 6 July 2020]

There is something wrong with this. Harrison Ford's tendency towards diffidence actually helps him here and there is sufficient edginess to the crime to engage the viewer with the power struggling between the various males enough to maintain momentum. There are moments, however, when we suspend disbelief, in the hope that events will make amends and that the overall complexities will reveal something we were not originally aware of. All well and good but the flat ending to the protracted court proceedings followed by the jaw dropping conclusion leave one feeling cheated for having invested in some of the half baked and more ridiculous moments. Pakula seems to have lost the plot somewhere for although the difficulties may be problems inherent with the original novel it is unlikely for surely then nobody would have been drawn to filming it in the first place. It is a shame because for a good part of the first half this really looks as if it is going somewhere.

unrealistic and too predictable

[villard · 3/10 · 1 March 2009]

Besides being dragged out and a little convoluted, this movie has inconsistencies that give away the ending early into the film.

Mrs. Savage is simply too *nice* given all the trouble that's hit that fan. When you first see husband and wife together you assume she's clueless about the affair, just from their chemistry.

It's bad enough her husband had an affair with a sexy young blonde , now he's in all kinds of legal dodo. No wife would respond as compassionately as her, without some occasional flare- up of anger and sarcasm from buried hostility.

The ending is a mess with a way too drawn out confession. It made me regret sitting thought the film, as much as I like Harrison Ford playing a bad boy now and then. Maybe this role helped land him a much better character in "What Lies Beneath."

The film should have simply ended with him finding the blood hammer and then let the audience's imagination fill in the rest. (which by the way is the LAST thing a killer would leave laying around without washing it off - duh)

It's also unusually sad to leave the cute little son an orphan because of his dad's bad behavior. The movie's a bummer.

Brilliant Narrative Play versus Shadows of a Heart (A+)

[treeherder · 4 January 2004]

Bear with me while I set the context for my review:

One of the stunning "hooks" in the academy award winning film "The Sting" (1973, 10 nominations, 7 awards, including Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay) is the shift of the narrative voice from omniscient perspective to a closed third person perspective ... when Johnny Hooker (Redford) and Lt. Snyder (Durning) are fooled by the "FBI agents" -- we later find out the FBI scene was set up and scripted by Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) as the critical step in making the Sting work. That one elegantly smooth, unnoticeable shift is the crowning touch in an otherwise excellent film.

In "Presumed Innocent" the brilliant change in narrative is the change in voice .. from that of Rusty Sabich (Ford) to that of his wife Barbara (Bedelia) during the final conversation between them in the story. The intricately subtle and carefully staged plot lets us follow Rusty's stream of consciousness as if he was in a trance .. a trance guiding him toward a full understanding of "what really happened" in the murder of his colleague -- and a full understanding of his part in those events.

It's a movie that you have to see twice to appreciate the excellent acting and direction. And if and when you read Scott Turow's book, you'll want to see the film at least once again .. in which case you'll be more than impressed at how well the (extraordinary) novel was translated to the screen.

The spare, unobtrusive score magnifies the most compellingly dense scenes in which Rusty's awareness of "what really happened" evolves. If you want to know what John Williams can do with a light touch when he's not making epics like Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones or Harry Potter, you might want to play the film once more, just to focus on tasting and savoring the audio portion of this program.

Raul Julia nailed the part of defense attorney Sandy Stern, Harrison Ford is phenomenal as Rusty, and Bonnie Bedelia; Brian Dennehy as District Attorney Raymond Horgan, Rusty's boss; Paul Winfield, the trial judge; and John Spenser as Rusty's friend Detective Lipranzer (West Wing, Leo McGarry) -- all turn in pro performances in support. Some significant credit has to go to the producers for assembling a magical cast.

But be forewarned -- this is dark magic. In almost every scene, shadow and darkness is prominent, and the scant few bright daylight scenes only set up contrast with the dimmer, more murky, more obscure moments. The desolate visualization is not bleak, though; to the contrary, it's richly textured. Making hopelessness and forlorn human obsession palatable in a film is no small thing ... and this story is the journey of the soul in the small hours of a sleepless night. It's a story that could have inspired Hemingway to write "A Clean, Well Lighted Place."

"Imagine a dark smoky bar, deep grained cherry wood paneling, where they dole out martinis made from the best 100 proof vodka and iced human tears to richly burdened men and women, each alone with grief and mourning and self-created pain."

*** Presumed Innocent was nominated for an Edgar (Best Movie, Edgar Allan Poe Award) along with Goodfellas, but lost to The Grifters (Angelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening.) The original music by John Willimas received a BMI Film Music award.

*** Trivia Bradley Witford, also a featured player on West Wing (Josh Lyman) plays Jamie Kemp, Sandy Stern's law assistant.

This is the first film I know of with a character who is a black gang member and "in the life, on the lowdown" as a closeted homosexual.

Exercise: When the defense team visits Caroline Polhemus's apartment, note the number of bar glasses present on the countertop.

Pretty good court drama

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 7/10 · 24 September 2005]

Being a huge fan of court room dramas, a fairly big one of Raul Julia, and a faithful supporter of Brian Dennehy and Harrison Ford, I decided to watch this film, as it came on TV. I had just seen an exceptional episode of "JAG", so I was very much in the mood for more court room drama. This film quite definitely delivers. Whoever cast Raul as an attorney knows his stuff. It's a quite unusual role for him, but he pulls it off perfectly. Dennehy is solid as always, and Ford is quite good as well. The plot is pretty good, interesting, and with some nice twists(though the last one is a tad hard to swallow). The pacing is good, you're rarely bored watching this film. The dialog and back-and-forth arguing in court wasn't as good as it could have been(the episode of "JAG" was better in that area, definitely), but it was still pretty good. I haven't read the original novel by Scott Turow, but from what I understand, this is a fairly satisfying adaptation. The story is quite interesting, and there are a fair bit of red herrings, but the final explanation seems implausible. Not the best court drama, but a pretty good one. I recommend this to fans of the actors and of court room dramas. 7/10

Harrison Ford Falsely Accused Again?!?

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 4 June 2020]

Surely, Harrison Ford can't be falsely accused again? After running all over creation as Dr. Kimble ("The Fugitive") trying to prove his innocence, you mean to tell me another paramour of his is dead and he's the main suspect? Harrison, you have to start dating less killable women.

In "Presumed Innocent" Harrison Ford plays a Chief Deputy D.A. named Rusty Sabich. He was assigned the case of the murder of a coworker that he just so happened to have been intimate with and he just so happens to be infatuated with. Oh, did I mention that he's married?

The investigation turns sour when all evidence points towards him as the main suspect. He swears he didn't kill his coworker/lover Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi). But if he didn't, who did?

The movie goes into "Law & Order" mode, which I love. Raul Julia was smooth as silk as Sandy Stern, Rusty's attorney. At no point were we ever really sure if Rusty was being truthful or not, we could only ride out the trial and be witness to good lawyering. Naturally, we want to believe him because he's the good guy, but is this going to be one of those movies that fools you "Usual Suspect," "Primal Fear," or "Jagged Edge" style? It's worth finding out.

Thin retelling of rich novel

[Philby-3 · 6/10 · 8 October 2005]

After an enjoyable read of Scott Turow's novel, I settled down to watch Alan Pakula's film. I was somewhat disappointed, and not just because of the worn videotape. It is a thin retelling of the story without the rich inner reflections of the book where accused prosecuting attorney Rusty Sabich narrates in the first person his trial on a charge of killing a fellow prosecutor and femme fatale Carolyn Polhemus.

Adapation is always a bitch, as Charlie Kaufman wonderfully demonstrated in his film "Adapation" but it works when the film makers realise that they are making a film and not précising the novel. Alan Pakula himself did a very impressive job when he adapted 'the Woodward-Bernstein expose of Watergate, "All The President's Men" and produced a fine film. Here, despite excellent casting and first rate acting, what you see up on the screen, with all the moody, gloomy interiors, is a hard-to follow turgid courtroom drama.

The book is an excellent account, written from first-hand experience, of what it's like to be a US-style prosecuting attorney in a large mid-western city as well as being a reasonably intriguing thriller. However, I have trouble with the character of the "victim", played with all stops out by Greta Scacchi. It's true there are women who play on the inability of men with power to behave themselves and they are a convenient plot device, but we finish up not with a character but a stereotype. In the novel Turow does try, with not much success, to divine the reasons why Carolyn is what she was, but the film-makers simply abandon any attempt to explain her otherwise than to hint via her ex-husband (who does not appear in the novel) that she might be some kind of fraud. Anyway, I always feel that the amount of sex that goes on incidental to legal practice is greatly exaggerated, and someone like Carolyn comes along about once a century. In fact the film and the book share one problem in common – the men are real enough but the women are caricatures.

Turow is a far better writer than John Grisham, but somehow Grisham's books transfer better to the screen. In fact it seems the worse the book the better the adaptation. However there are some moments when the actors transcend their material, particularly Raul Julia's zen-like performance as defense counsel Sandy Stern. And it has to be said that Greta Scacchi does provide a reason for a prosecuting attorney on the cusp of middle age to throw caution to the winds and engage in an affair. Harrison Ford puts in his usual reliable performance but is somehow not in the centre of things; it might just be the gloomy cinematography but I remember very few close-ups of him.

Legal Thriller Buoyed By Great Cast & Memorable Ending

[zkonedog · 8/10 · 2 March 2017]

In terms of pure plot, "Presumed Innocent" is a relatively straightforward legal thriller--nothing all that spectacular. But it contains a stellar cast and features an ending among the most memorable I've ever seen in a film.

For a very basic overview, "Presumed Innocent" tells the story of Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford), a high-profile deputy prosecutor working for Raymond Horgan (Brian Dennehy). When fellow lawyer--and former Rusty lover--Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi) is murdered, Rusty suddenly finds himself at the top of the suspect list and must stand trial after years of doing the opposite.

If looked at from a pure plot/exposition angle, this is about a 6-star effort. It--at times--is a bit of a plodding court exercise with basically no action to speak of. Fortunately, the film has two enormous positive qualities in its corner:

First, the cast is about as good as it gets for a movie like this. Those listed above are wonderful, while Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, Paul Winfield, and John Spencer are also excellent. When the exposition drags a bit, the performances alone are worthy of viewer attention.

Secondly, "Presumed Innocent" features an ending that I consider to be one of the best or most shocking in cinema history. Not only does it throw a twist at the audience worthy of M Night Shyamalan, but that twist actually re-contextualizes the way director Alan J. Pakula structured the film.

Also, in a bit of an oddity considering this composer's more epic or bombastic works, the movie is scored by none other than John Williams--and it shows. The background themes often drive home the messages as much as the characters themselves!

Overall, "Presumed Innocent" is a solid courtroom thriller. Though not spectacular, it does enough specific things (acting, score, ending) well to make it memorable.

Bland, Boring Pakula

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 14 April 2011]

The lead investigator (Harrison Ford) on a murder case becomes the prime suspect after it is revealed that he was having an affair with her. With fingerprints and DNA everywhere, can he convince them of his innocence? Besides Harrison Ford, we have Raul Julia playing a role other than Gomez Addams, which is nice to see. There is also the medical examiner, who is hilarious, by far my favorite character in the movie.

Not director Alan Pakula's best work by far, though he does well by covering the ground he covered in "All the President's Men" by mixing crime and politics. This is always an intriguing mix, especially when executed by a capable director, writer and cast. This film has such things, and is therefore a worthy film, and enjoyable.

I found the flashbacks to be annoying more than anything. I understand they were important to make the connection between the victim and the accused, but she was presented as if she was a gorgeous catch, but was rather hideous and manipulative. Her alleged liaisons with important men does not make her a victim that gets much sympathy from me.

more suspenseful and mysterious than expected; Ford and co are great but leave something to be desired

[jdring2007 · 8/10 · 7 April 2022]

I admit I was far more engaged than I expected to be, with this kind of movie. It wove more mystery, suspicions, and skepticism than most flicks within this genre have with me in the past. I do really like Harrison Ford and he didn't necessarily disappoint, however I was hoping for more "passion" from him and others, performance wise, but everyone was pretty plateaud in their roles. That said, it still managed to keep me guessing and on the edge of my seat throughout, to the very end. It had an abundance of surprises and twists at least for me, and was very refreshing in that it prolonged the investigative side of the mystery before the actual trial began. The teasing of information, of the truth, in the first half of the movie was excellent and what really hooked me.

a surprisingly disappointing effort

[alannasser · 6/10 · 8 December 2011]

Alan J. Pakula can usually be counted on to turn in a well honed and engaging film. And while Scott Turow is not one of the great writers of our times he tells a good story. The basic plot is sufficiently textured to augur a gripping movie. But the film disappoints badly. Most distressing is the stiff, wooden, unconvincing and amateurish performance of Harrison Ford. The man has, in all his movies, one tone of voice and one facial expression, which is dangerously close to no facial expression. Ford seems utterly at sea and out of his element in love scenes, where he is painfully embarrassing to watch. As he is at the center of this film, I found myself consistently unable to believe what was portrayed on screen. Disbelief refused to be suspended. Not my fault.

Presumed Innocent builds to a kind of twist, an unexpected re-connecting of the dots which is supposed to knock the audience for a loop. And a good turn it is, on paper. Thing is, on the screen it has to be revealed cinematically, it has to be shown, not told. but what happens is that at the end of the movie, one character simply stands there and talks, monologues, speaks a paragraph or two which do no more than verbally relate the twist. it might as well have been written out on the screen for the audience to quietly read. Dreadful.

The film is by no means a total loss, but it's not very good either.

Alan J Pakula directed

[sjanders-86430 · 10/10 · 13 November 2021]

Scott Turow wrote the book on which the screenplay is based. This is a near perfect courtroom thriller. A married lawyer Harrison Ford has an affair with lawyer Greta Scacchi. Scacchi is raped and murdered. Ford goes to trial defended by Raul Julia. Bonnie Bedalia is Ford's wife. John Spencer is Ford chief detective. The medical examiner is blamed for sending the wrong sperm to be analyzed. Brian Dennehy thinks Ford did it. "We always thought you were wound too tight. And when you blew, you blew." The only negative is their house is poorly decorated with cheap furniture. Also the wife Bedalia is portrayed as a masturbating lonely housewife. She is indecisive. "All I make are beds." Then she rediscovers herself and gets accepted into a doctorate math program. She somehow transforms herself through the act of murder. "The destroyer is destroyed." I conclude that murder here is redemptive.

Good, but not Pakula's best by far

[krishshautriya · 7/10 · 17 March 2019]

Harrison Ford plays a prosecutor who becomes the chief suspect in the death of his colleague. He as always, was great in the film. He is very good at bringing vulnerability to characters, which makes them connect with the audience.

The film was directed by Alan J Pakula, and he has made better films before. This was not a bad film at all. The only problem was the pacing. Sometimes, the movie slowed to a halt. For me, the flashback scenes were a big problem. They were necessary, and I get it, but they were not well placed.

But for me at least, the twist in the end was surprisingly good. I was I'll when I saw the movie, so I was not thinking. But the twist really surprised me. The movie was very good at misdirection.

The music was composed by the great John Williams, and it shows. It was great.

Overall, a good movie. Slightly slow, but definitely a one time watch.

3.5 out of 5 for me.

character development LOST in the movie

[seoulbaby · 5/10 · 1 December 2006]

I was very disappointed in the movie. One of the most gripping things about the book was Rusty's character development and the description of the internal conflict between his feelings about his marriage and his feelings about his mistress. The book portrays a brilliant psychological irony in that Rusty is not technically guilty of his mistress's murder, but his character throughout the book feels guilty and ambivalent. Rusty is emotionally vulnerable in many respects, and while he does not love Carolyn, the feelings he has for her go beyond simple lust. Factor in the pure love he has for his son... Rusty is a complex and conflicted man. This did not transfer to the screen at all. I like Harrison Ford, but he was totally miscast, and was not able to portray the subtle nuances or vulnerability of Rusty's character. This dumbed down the movie to a one-dimensional "who-dunnit" with a "surprise" ending. The emotional power that made the book so compelling was gone.