Review of Runaway Jury (2003) by Panos M — 05 Aug 2013

Based upon John Grisham's 1996 bestseller, this had been in pre-production since 1997, producer Arnon Milchan acquired the rights before it was even written! The film adaptation was directed by Gary Fleder (Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) and Don't Say A Word (2001)), and it's an entertaining and gripping legal thriller, even if differs from the book.

After the shooting of Jacob Wood (Dylan McDermott) at his office in New Orleans. His widow Celeste (Joanna Going) takes Vicksburgs Firearms to court, claiming gross negligence on their part, with lawyer Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) defending her.

A jury is selected, overseen by jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman). In the jury is store clerk Nick Easter (John Cusack), who really doesn't want to be there. But, he soon finds his life is in danger and his apartment has been ransacked.

But nothing on this case is what it seems, and Easter's girlfriend Marlee (Rachel Weisz) has her own agenda related to the case. It's a film which shows all the dirty tricks that goes on when someone takes on a big corporation.

In the book, it was a tobacco company in the dock, here it's a gun company, but that doesn't matter, it's still a suspenseful and gripping thriller, with a good cast at it's dark heart.