Review of Presumed Innocent (1990) by Janna L — 19 Aug 2011

"Presumed Innocent" is like the Jekyl & Hyde of cinema. The first hour of this film is incredibly boring (and could have easily been condensed into 30 minutes or less), but once the accusation is made and the trial begins, it becomes an unpredictable, exciting film.

There is an unnecessary amount of time spent introducing the characters and the case and a lot of it felt like filler. Shifting back to the second half of the movie - the entire trial (with all of its twists) was very well-developed and had excellent acting to support it.

Harrison Ford thrived in the "angry role" that he does so well, while Brian Dennehy was despicable, Paul Winfield was way cool, Bonnie Bedelia ends up with a moment to shine, and Raul Julia played a very convincing attorney.

The payoff is the ending which keeps you questioning the innocence or guilt of the main character, ending in an incredible slight of hand that alluded me the entire film. This film has a great, realistic court sequence, but don't spend too much time on the first half of the film as it only divulges a few important facts in a very longwinded way.