ScoobyWell
Great visuals, story delivers no surprises
Ella-May O'Brien
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
A_Different_Drummer
The 1930s and 1940s were the first golden age. But by the 1990s crime thrillers like this had reached perfection but I see by the rating the public took them for granted.Look at the talent! Paluka behind the camera, Ford, Dennehy, Bedalia, Juloa in front, a script so tight it squeaks and a surprise ending to boot.Great thriller, Ford is usually one-note but it works well here. Dennehy was one of the most unappreciated stars of his era.As for the low IMDb score, I repeat that product this good was commonplace in that era (not now and not before) so people cannot appreciation what is plentiful.Highly recommended. Engaging clever and entertaining.
AaronCapenBanner
Alan J. Pakula directed this courtroom drama/mystery based on a Scott Turow novel that stars Harrison Ford as Deputy D.A. Rusty Sabich, who becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a coworker named Carolyn(played by Greta Scacchi) whom he was also having an affair with, despite being happily married to his wife(played by Bonnie Bedelia) He gets respected attorney 'Sandy' Stern(played by Raul Julia) to defend him, and their ensuing investigation leads them to some surprising secrets and motives, though the ultimate truth will hit Rusty close to home... Not bad film certainly has a fine cast and efficient direction, though it's always a pity to see a finely tuned script saddled with too much profanity and seediness. Still worth seeing though.
vincentlynch-moonoi
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.
ctomvelu1
It dawns on me there are actually few reviews posted here for this movie. You'd think there would be 300 or more. Adapted from one of the best crime/courtroom novels of the 1980s, "Presumed Innocent" focuses on a prosecutor (Ford) accused of murdering his lover (Scacchi). As he digs deeper into the case, the worse it looks for him. Politics and personal vendettas only make things even more glum. From beginning to end, the movie is a straightforward and excellent rendition of the Turow novel. The movie also boasts an A-list cast that includes Brian Dennehey, Raul Julia and Bonnie Bedelia as the prosecutor's wife. It won't matter if you read the book and know the ending, it is a major shocker as played by Ford, who was at the height of his powers in the late 1980s, when this was made.
