Review of The Pelican Brief (1993) by Blake P — 02 Feb 2013

Other than Julia Robert's big hair-do and a soundtrack that sounds like it was made for a Lifetime TV movie, "The Pelican Brief" ultimately is an excellent adaptation of John Grisham's popular novel, made with intelligence and style to spare.

Darby Shaw (Roberts) is a young law student who writes a theoretical scenario of the murderer's of two Supreme Court Justices, one of whom was the mentor of her teacher and boyfriend, Thomas Callahan (Sam Shepard). At first it's ignored, but when passed around the FBI, the theory, known as "The Pelican Brief" begins to become important, but is also seen as a threat. The murder plot mysteriously involves the law, and so before long a bomb is planted in Callahan's car-- which is also meant to kill Darby. Now that Thomas is dead, Darby realizes that her once intelligent theory is now beginning to look more than true, and she cannot trust anyone, not even the police. She then enlists the help of reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), who appears to be the only one she can trust.

By the end of "The Pelican Brief", I can't say that it felt complete-- after all, so many characters are introduced that I wasn't even exactly sure who the murderers were. But the ride up is so suspenseful and compelling that it's shocking to think this film has been so forgotten. It's a little thrill machine, delivering lots of pulse pounding scenes; but in the meantime, we learn to care about the characters, something most thrillers seem to skimp over. Pakula, a writer/director best known for his work in the '70's, does a fantastic job here, setting scenes with intensity while at the same time fleshing out the characters so interesting in Grisham's novel. This may not be one of his best films, but it shows what he's capable of.

But overall, if there's any reason for "The Pelican Brief" to truly be remembered, it's of course, Roberts and Washington, both in their prime, while both delivering great performances. Roberts is the kind of actress that is best in these kinds of films; she's easy to root for, and can cry on cue in a instant, all the while maintaining a character that seems strong and confident. Washingon gives a subdued performance, making Grantham calm while at the same time making him a heroic figure. Put all these aspects together, "The Pelican Brief" is terrific.

"The Pelican Brief" may not be the best film ever made, but it's a intelligent thriller that rewards the viewer that's in the mood for a smart thrill ride, not a dumb one.