The Rainmaker
Francis Ford Coppola directs and scripts an exciting, star-packed adaptation of John Grisham's novel about an idealistic young attorney who takes on the case of a lifetime.
Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting) plays Rudy Baylor, a rookie lawyer in over his head on a high-profile case. Opposing him: an army of seasoned legal sharks (led by Jon Voight). On Rudy's side: Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito), a feisty "paralawyer" who specializes in flunking the bar exam. Rudy's chances are slim to none - until he uncovers a trail of corruption that might lead to the one thing that could win his case: the truth.
Member Reviews
Refreshing Touches of Realism - c4th
Grisham departs from the usual fare of describing a career-changing case tackled by a seasoned veteran and instead introduces us to the world of a young graduate struggling to establish himself in the legal profession. His story takes on some additionally refreshing realism as we observe the protagonist face several cases at the same time and struggle with complications created by youthful idealism and inexperience.
Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon), desperate for a job, takes one with a shady lawyer named Bruiser Stone (Mickey Rourke). He is teamed with unlicensed lawyer Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito) who has failed the bar exam six times. Under his contracted arrangement, he must guarantee his own income as well as turn some over to his boss.
What initially appears to be a straight forward insurance settlement morphs into a huge suit in which young inexperienced Rudy tries a suit against a huge insurance company defended by a large team of lawyers. In another case, Rudy becomes personally involved with a domestic abuse victim. The story is layered and rich with personal drama, conspiracy schemes, humorous character interactions and suspenseful turns.
As a legal drama about a lawyer who has an opportunity of a lifetime fall into his lap in the form of a civil suit, The Rainmaker is thrilling and intriguing. More importantly, it explores important societal issues and how they are impacted politically and by the legal system. It specifically promotes modification of public and private health insurance. It comments on the futile and impersonal nature of a legal system which encourages lawyers to discard their passion and try with their brains rather than their hearts.
The Rainmaker is one of John Grisham’s best works and is magnificently brought to the screen through the genius of Francis Ford Coppola and a talented acting cast. I recommend it to all.The Rainmaker - TheWiz
Is it the actors or the screenpaly (novel) that make a great flick? Matt Damon seems at home as a freshman lawyer surrounding by a cast of interesting charachters and some mighty fine actors. He finds himself pating his dues working for a street smart shady lawyer. His goal - he's the last of the good guys! He's on a crusade against evil and he finds it in almost every corner. He also discovers the victims of these evil plots and being the crusader that he his, he undertakes to solve everyone's problem. It doesn't hurt that his side-kick is Danny DiVito. While somewhat hollywood style predictable, this film is full of good moral values whcih are protagonist discovers isn't all that it's made out to be. Not for children.Inspiring!! - OkaZoo
This is another lawyer story in the realm of "Erin Brokovich" and "A Few Good Men", if you've seen those and enjoyed them then you will probably like this one too...
This movie has appeal on many levels, the lawyer who has a moral compass and who is dedicated to doing the right thing (being the type of lawyer which many people I don't think believe lawyers can be), overcoming what seem like insurmountable odds and defending the little guy!!
The story is strong and well developed, the characters are very believable even the lawyer and the film moves at a good pace.
I say it is inspiring because I think we all want to believe that there are real people in the world who are like him, we might be skeptical about that generally but this movie allows us to hope and to dream a little bit about that...
I enjoyed this film very much and recommend it highly, definitely time well spent!!
Member Reviews
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Refreshing Touches of Realism - c4th
Grisham departs from the usual fare of describing a career-changing case tackled by a seasoned veteran and instead introduces us to the world of a young graduate struggling to establish himself in the legal profession. His story takes on some additionally ...The Rainmaker - TheWiz
Is it the actors or the screenpaly (novel) that make a great flick? Matt Damon seems at home as a freshman lawyer surrounding by a cast of interesting charachters and some mighty fine actors. He finds himself pating his dues working for a street smart shady ...Inspiring!! - OkaZoo
This is another lawyer story in the realm of "Erin Brokovich" and "A Few Good Men", if you've seen those and enjoyed them then you will probably like this one too...
This movie has appeal on many levels, the lawyer who has a moral compass and who is ...