The Pelican Brief (B or 3/4 stars)
2 Supreme Court Justices (one, being Hume Cronyn) have been murdered in 'The Pelican Brief' (directed by Alan J. Pakula, All the King's Men, Presumed Innocent). Now, Tulan University law professor, Thomas Callahan (Sam Shepard), who clerked for one of those men - and is also having an affair with one of his law students, Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) - is given a 'brief' by her that states who may've wanted those Justices dead. And she has a theory as to who's responsible. See, after having used her school library & several semi-public case files, she came up with and wrote this so-called The Pelican Brief.
Thomas then gives it to one of his pals in the FBI. And when the FBI read it, they are wowed. No one really took this theory seriously until Darby's computer & disks were burglarized, and readers of her brief start dying, themselves; including Thomas! As the killers seemingly close-in, Darby turns to Washington Post investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington) for aid. Howwwever, this, of course, make Gray as much of a target as Darby, & the 2 of them wind up on the run. Having uncovered a huge governmental conspiracy, & embroiled in a horrifying web of intrigue & danger ... can this duo remain alive & find justice?
I can't lie. I could not follow every single thing that went on during this lengthy 'thriller'. Here's what I know. I like Julia Roberts & Denzel Washington. I liked their characters in this film. I loved seeing a plethora of supporting characters, played by the likes of the aforementioned Sam Shepard, Hume Cronyn, Robert Culp, John Heard, John Lithgow, Tony Goldwyn, Cynthia Nixon, Stanley Tucci (a wower), et al. I liked the moodiness of the film; the creepy atmosphere created. I liked the look of the film (thanks to Stephan Goldblatt's work). I liked the mystery of it (Grisham is the source material). There's a little action. James Horner's ominous score permeates. I enjoyed escaping for 2 hours & 20 minutes. And yet ... as mentioned, the film ended, & nothing really sticks. It is what it was.
'The Pelican Brief' also gets confusing, at times. The plot is so heavy. And there are complications to every subplot. So if you're not paying 100% attention, you could be lost. As far as character depth/development goes, there isn't much. But as mentioned, I always enjoy watching Roberts & Washington do their thing on the screen. On the whole, I liked more than I didn't - that's what it all comes down to. I even liked the coda (WELL after the climax). And a lot of critics hated the coda; preferring a rousing conclusion. 'The Pelican Brief' is an overlong, talky thriller that sacrifices engrossing action. But I give this film a pass.
Thomas then gives it to one of his pals in the FBI. And when the FBI read it, they are wowed. No one really took this theory seriously until Darby's computer & disks were burglarized, and readers of her brief start dying, themselves; including Thomas! As the killers seemingly close-in, Darby turns to Washington Post investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington) for aid. Howwwever, this, of course, make Gray as much of a target as Darby, & the 2 of them wind up on the run. Having uncovered a huge governmental conspiracy, & embroiled in a horrifying web of intrigue & danger ... can this duo remain alive & find justice?
I can't lie. I could not follow every single thing that went on during this lengthy 'thriller'. Here's what I know. I like Julia Roberts & Denzel Washington. I liked their characters in this film. I loved seeing a plethora of supporting characters, played by the likes of the aforementioned Sam Shepard, Hume Cronyn, Robert Culp, John Heard, John Lithgow, Tony Goldwyn, Cynthia Nixon, Stanley Tucci (a wower), et al. I liked the moodiness of the film; the creepy atmosphere created. I liked the look of the film (thanks to Stephan Goldblatt's work). I liked the mystery of it (Grisham is the source material). There's a little action. James Horner's ominous score permeates. I enjoyed escaping for 2 hours & 20 minutes. And yet ... as mentioned, the film ended, & nothing really sticks. It is what it was.
'The Pelican Brief' also gets confusing, at times. The plot is so heavy. And there are complications to every subplot. So if you're not paying 100% attention, you could be lost. As far as character depth/development goes, there isn't much. But as mentioned, I always enjoy watching Roberts & Washington do their thing on the screen. On the whole, I liked more than I didn't - that's what it all comes down to. I even liked the coda (WELL after the climax). And a lot of critics hated the coda; preferring a rousing conclusion. 'The Pelican Brief' is an overlong, talky thriller that sacrifices engrossing action. But I give this film a pass.