Review of The Client (1994) by Diana W — 01 Aug 2009

Great Grisham Adaptation.

Nothing Jus' Decent about it, Dirty, Gritty, Slimmy via LaPaglia/ posse!

We are talking Mississippi/Tennessee/N'Orleans Red MUDD!

Susan Sarandon's character is quite inspiring in this, overcoming many flaws with strength reinforcing message of it's never too late to be great in small simple ways or as large an impact as you wish to make! Most memorable role for her in quite a while.

I didn't appreciate Mary-Louise Parker in this role, although she is from the south, I still found her to be, reaching and forced. However here is her gem of a delivery and one of the script's jewels:

Mary Louise Parker to The FBI asking where her son is etc...

"Mssing, you mean you lost him!".

"Hell, Y'all the FBI...Since you got involved our trailers been blowed up, my boy's been thrown in jail...and now he's missing...let me tell you somethin, act like the FBI! you find him!".

Texan San Antonian Tommy Lee Jones is brilliant and larger than life as always! So sad that the young Brad Renfro died.

Ossie Davis, I love him...wish he were in more things. Loved him as the sidekick to Burt Reynolds character in ? a short-lived excellent detective series.

Born in the South and spending summers in my youth there, I always take great exception when Hollywood/NY fails to cast southern actors in southern parts. This immediately creates a dis-connect for me and makes the movie harder to watch without always being aware that someone is butchering the southern accent, quirks and mannerisms.

You must give this drama-thriller credit for involving a youthful character in such an active realistic role. Usually they are only viewed as victims, evil devil hosts, endowed with super-human power or mere exaggerated versions of children. This character reveals real feelings, speech and thoughts appropriate for his age.

Brit-Irish films do all people justice, their stories are rich with young characters, old characters, flawed characters...all reflecting a real reality!

Again...The Pelican Brief is my favourite Grisham.