Review of Presumed Innocent (1990) by Jay L — 08 Jul 2013

"Sometimes It's Dangerous To Presume..".

A stone-cold, tough as nails, supremely cerebral, insanely diabolical and downright disturbing courtroom drama unfolds right before your eyes in this bold film. It's a brilliant film, precise, to the point, as well as absorbing, but be warned it is truly shocking and some of the content will be tough for many to stomach. Presumed Innocent is one of the very best and most solidly crafted courtroom thrillers since Norman Jewison teamed up with Al Pacino in the diabolical legal thriller "..And Justice For All". Precise, deceptive, intricate, tricky, disturbing, dark, brooding, sexy and absorbing, it's pays off when intelligence and attention are given to the small details of any film just as they were in this film. Famed Hollywood icon and beloved Director Alan J. Pakula (The Parallax View, All The President's Men, Comes A Horsemen) was widely known for executing tremendously intricate conspiracy films, he happened to drop this film onto his rà (C)sumà (C) in his later years and it stands as one of the great legal thrillers. It's frighteningly intense, spectacularly well put together, astonishingly clever, deeply deceptive, endlessly suspenseful, overwhelmingly brutal and absolutely brilliant until the credits roll. Pakula and company delivered seriously gripping film that pumps out tension and suspense in nearly every atmospherically brooding scene. Pay attention to every part of the storyline, if you lose focus you will be left in the dust as Presumed Innocent demands your complete attention very second. A psychological powerhouse that delivers a white-knuckle and deeply effective storyline that overflows with tension and smarts. It's a classic early 90's courtroom drama that unfolds masterfully right in front of your eyes, pay attention to detail as it will have you guessing until the very last second of the very last scene...literally.

Harrison Ford gives a blatantly bold and incredible performance, he dominates when he is onscreen. Raul Julia does great in her own. Brian Dennehy is wonderful as well.