Presumed Innocent (1990) / Thriller-Mystery

MPAA Rated: R for violence, language and some sexuality and nudity.
Running Time: 127 min.

Cast: Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, Paul Winfield, Greta Scacchi
Director: Alan J. Pakula
Screenplay: Frank Pierson, Alan J. Pakula (based on the novel by Scott Turow)
Review published September 12, 2006

After an assistant D.A. (Scacchi, Shattered) is found brutally murdered, all the evidence points to D.A. Rusty Sabich (Ford, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), who was involved with an affair with her shortly before her death. Poor Rusty gets a piece too, but when he does not give her what she wants, she terminates the relationship. Now Rusty finds himself fighting for his freedom after traces of body fluids and his fingerprints are discovered at the crime scene.

Harrison Ford turns in a subtle but brilliant performance, although sporting one of the world's worst haircuts. As a matter of fact, it is quite a competent movie all around, with the actors, director (Pakula, All the President's Men), and screenwriter (Pierson, Cool Hand Luke) all turning in A-grade work., except for John Williams (The Witches of Eastwick, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) annoying and repetitive score. If you're in the mood for an excellent courtroom drama, give this one a shot, it's quite good.

Qwipster's rating:

©1996 Vince Leo