Runaway Jury

views updated

Runaway Jury ★★★ 2003 (PG-13)

John Grishampenned legal thriller has the goods. Hotshot jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Hackman) is hired by a gun manufacturer on trial after an office massacre. The unscrupulous Fitch spies on potential jurors and isn't above using blackmail in his quest to find a totally sympathetic jury. His goal of a totally biased jury is endangered when he's forced to include Nicholas (Cusack), a man with a secret. Alist cast, interesting supports, wellrounded characters, and topnotch direction more than make up for notquitefullyrealized plot development and a less than satisfying ending. This is the first onscreen pairing of former roommates Hackman and Hoffman, and they make the most of it. 127m/C VHS, DVD . US John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Bruce Davison, Bruce McGill, Jeremy Piven, Nick Searcy, Stanley Anderson, Clifford Curtis, Nestor Serrano, Leland Orser, Jennifer Beals, Gerry Bamman, Joanna Going, Bill Nunn, Juanita Jennings, Marguerite Moreau, Nora Dunn, Guy Torry, Rusty Schwimmer; D: Gary Fleder; W: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Cleveland, Matthew Chapman; C: Robert Elswit; M: Christopher Young.