Director: Gary Fleder
Running time: 127 minutes
Age restriction: 13LV
Rating: 7/10
Gene Hackman and a bank account in the Caymans. It's got to be a Grisham. This time, the story hinges on a battle that develops between a crooked "jury consultant" (Gene Hackman) and the member of the jury (John Cusack) whom he didn't take for such a formidable adversary.
The former is skilled at securing a verdict regardless of justice, and the latter strives to stay one step ahead of his game. But the true voice of reason comes in the form of a rare commodity: a lawyer (Dustin Hoffman) who is hell-bent on accuracy, the truth and justice - three concepts which have slipped to the bottom rung of the ladder in the legal system as portrayed in the movie.
Corruption has always been Grisham's greatest theme, and his ability to tease out the issues of ethics and principles which come along with it is exhibited once again.
That's not to say it's a credible story, and some viewers might find themselves staring through the gaping holes of the plot, but somehow, the keen performances from Cusack, Hackman and Hoffman create enough chemistry to distract one.
Rachel Weisz also provides some colour to the plot, and ultimately, she provides the moral hook on which Grisham's story can hang its guilty corruption.
The Runaway Jury is not nearly as entertaining as The Firm, and the unrealistic nature of the plot also puts a black mark on its report card, but its sheer entertainment value makes for a worthwhile night out.