The Firm (1993)

By far the best adaptation of a John Grisham bestseller, this smart, fast-paced 1993 film--directed by Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa)--offers up the dilemma of a young lawyer whose life is turned upside down when he takes a job at a Southern law firm owned by the mob. Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise), having just graduated from Harvard Law, is besieged with offers but takes a job, too good to be true, with a small Memphis firm. He and his wife, Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn), are sucked in by the seemingly close-knit, collegial nature of the firm's partners and the expensive perks that come with the job. His mentor, Avery (Gene Hackman), teaches him the ropes, but Mitch and Abby begin to sense there's something wrong with this idyllic life. When a couple of associates turn up dead, Mitch begins to investigate the history of the firm; and when the FBI asks him to spy on the firm for them, Mitch realizes his life will never be the same and that, if discovered, he, his wife, and his long-lost brother will be in mortal danger. Mitch must use all his talents as a lawyer to outsmart the firm, the FBI, and the mob in order to reclaim control over his life. A very entertaining thriller that engages the audience at a breakneck pace while not taking itself too seriously. It also features some fine writing and strong performances from a large cast of exceptional actors. --Robert Lane Amazon.com essential video

Excellent, engrossing, substantial complexity --

and one of Gene Hackman's greatest performances. The man is so real, and the character so believable, you'd think Hackman were the character. Except he isn't, because the character is a hackman, while Hackman is an extraordinary actor.

Probably Cruise's best performance, better than in "Color of Money". Garey Busey does a perfect turn, and Holly Hunter get's to vamp.

The only film in which I've seen Triplehorn -- a beauty, and is the equal of Cruise in this (in performance; I don't think of Crusie as a beauty).

You'll like it. Cruise actually performs instead of posing for the camera.

May 15, 2008

This is not John Grisham's "The Firm"...

...because The Firm was actually good. One of my favorite books. As for this? It might not be as bad if you've never read the book, but if you have you will most likely not like it. Think about any plot point from the book and chances are it's been changed either a little or a lot in the movie version. The basic events are the same, but some things are changed so much it's rediculous. I would go into more detail, but I'm trying to stay away from spoilers.

Conciseley: characters given a lot of time in the book get hardly any in the movie. And some in the movie are featured a lot more prominantly than in the book. Long scenes and memorable parts of the book are gone and boring ones that seem out of place of sketchy appear in the movie. I don't remember Terrance being bald. And the ending was absolutely different.

I'll surely never watch this movie again. Don't buy it--get the book. If you don't like reading, skip over this entirely. It's just not worth your time, stale acting and poor characterization aside. April 8, 2008

THE FIRM

Totally engrossing. One of my favorite movies of all time. I have owned the VHS for years but had to have it on DVD since I have viewed it numerous times. Always exciting. Never a dull moment. Great acting by all! February 18, 2008

Not as good as the book..

The movie will probably be good to you if you've never read the book. I was a little frustrated with it, because the ending was so different. It's still worth watching, though. February 6, 2008

The Firm.

If you ever want to be a lawyer, watch this movie.
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Thanks December 15, 2007

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