Presumed Innocent (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Presumed Innocent' (directed & co-written by Alan J. Pakula) is a gripping, superbly acted 'whodunit' courtroom drama; the likes that rarely come around nowadays. Based on a best-selling novel, we're lulled into the story early on, but tension builds, & everything culminates in a disturbing & surprising conclusion in which everything is not as it seems to be. Harrison Ford takes a step away from his popular action flicks to star as deputy prosecuting attorney/family man Rozat “Rusty” Sabich, who arrives at the office to learn his ambitious, sexy, if not altogether 'liked' colleague, Carolyn Polhemus (the beautiful Greta Scacchi) has been brutally raped & murdered. Forced to lead the murder investigation by his stressed, hard-nosed boss Ray Horgan (a superb Brian Dennehy) - who's in a cold sweat over his upcoming re-election campaign as District Attorney - Rusty Sabich is apprehensive to mention that he had a torrid affair with the now-deceased attorney.
But his somewhat neurotic, melancholy wife, Barbara (Bonnie Bedelia) knows of said affair, & she's not sympathetic about the whole ordeal. Rusty is then confronted by snake-like ex-colleague, Tommy Molto, who is part of an opposing campaign for the chief prosecutor's office; much to Ray Horgan's chagrin. Tommy Molto swears that Sabich was at Carolyn's apartment the night of the murder {his finger-printed beer glass shows up, his semen found in the victim}. Before long, Sabich is embroiled in a scandalous grand jury investigation that spurs his politically-frightened boss to actually turn on him. Sabich then hires the expensive, crafty, top defense lawyer, Alejandro “Sandy” Stern (a sly, charismatic Raul Julia) to help. Is Sabich guilty or not? The film's stunning denouement reveals what REALLY happened.
Though 'Presumed Innocent' is slow-paced, it's also hypnotic; as we're gradually pulled into the labyrinthine murder story. Every frame of this film 'means' something integral to the story & outcome. There is suspense. There is tension. I love the domestic woes Rusty faces. I love the backroom political ramifications at the lawyer's office. I love the flashback scenes; providing context to what's going on in the present {a love scene btwn. Ford & Scacchi is a scorcher}. The murder mystery/ensuing courtroom drama is enticingly executed. We want to know if our favorite action star actually IS a cold-blooded killer or if he was framed. I also love how this film shows how flawed the criminal judicial system is; how many loopholes there are.
Harrison Ford gives a brilliant low-key performance here; one that makes us feel his pain ... even if he winds up guilty! Brian Dennehy is superb as the overbearing Horgan; a man terrified of losing his re-election & combusts at the drop of a hat. Raul Julia is wonderful as the suave lawyer who takes Rusty's case. Bonnie Bedelia - so good in 1988's Die Hard - conveys torment + a touch of nuttiness quite well; hers is the most nuanced portrayal in the film. Greta Sacchi is perfect - in flashbacks - as the sexy, seductive, but not-overly likeable murder victim. She's beguiling as h*ll, but there's also something intriguingly off-putting about her that gives more complexity to the case. Paul Winfield is excellent as the outspoken trial judge. I also admire Gordon Willis' handsome, dark-toned cinematography. And John Williams' moody music aids the proceedings. 'Presumed Innocent' is rich in detail with crackerjack trial scenes & rife with unexpected turns -- loved it.
But his somewhat neurotic, melancholy wife, Barbara (Bonnie Bedelia) knows of said affair, & she's not sympathetic about the whole ordeal. Rusty is then confronted by snake-like ex-colleague, Tommy Molto, who is part of an opposing campaign for the chief prosecutor's office; much to Ray Horgan's chagrin. Tommy Molto swears that Sabich was at Carolyn's apartment the night of the murder {his finger-printed beer glass shows up, his semen found in the victim}. Before long, Sabich is embroiled in a scandalous grand jury investigation that spurs his politically-frightened boss to actually turn on him. Sabich then hires the expensive, crafty, top defense lawyer, Alejandro “Sandy” Stern (a sly, charismatic Raul Julia) to help. Is Sabich guilty or not? The film's stunning denouement reveals what REALLY happened.
Though 'Presumed Innocent' is slow-paced, it's also hypnotic; as we're gradually pulled into the labyrinthine murder story. Every frame of this film 'means' something integral to the story & outcome. There is suspense. There is tension. I love the domestic woes Rusty faces. I love the backroom political ramifications at the lawyer's office. I love the flashback scenes; providing context to what's going on in the present {a love scene btwn. Ford & Scacchi is a scorcher}. The murder mystery/ensuing courtroom drama is enticingly executed. We want to know if our favorite action star actually IS a cold-blooded killer or if he was framed. I also love how this film shows how flawed the criminal judicial system is; how many loopholes there are.
Harrison Ford gives a brilliant low-key performance here; one that makes us feel his pain ... even if he winds up guilty! Brian Dennehy is superb as the overbearing Horgan; a man terrified of losing his re-election & combusts at the drop of a hat. Raul Julia is wonderful as the suave lawyer who takes Rusty's case. Bonnie Bedelia - so good in 1988's Die Hard - conveys torment + a touch of nuttiness quite well; hers is the most nuanced portrayal in the film. Greta Sacchi is perfect - in flashbacks - as the sexy, seductive, but not-overly likeable murder victim. She's beguiling as h*ll, but there's also something intriguingly off-putting about her that gives more complexity to the case. Paul Winfield is excellent as the outspoken trial judge. I also admire Gordon Willis' handsome, dark-toned cinematography. And John Williams' moody music aids the proceedings. 'Presumed Innocent' is rich in detail with crackerjack trial scenes & rife with unexpected turns -- loved it.