Runaway Jury (2003)

A juror on the inside and a woman on the outside manipulate a court trial involving a major gun manufacturer.

Director:

Gary Fleder

Writers:

John Grisham (novel), Brian Koppelman (screenplay),

Stars:

John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Nicholas Easter
Gene Hackman	...	Rankin Fitch
Dustin Hoffman	...	Wendell Rohr
Rachel Weisz	...	Marlee
Bruce Davison	...	Durwood Cable
Bruce McGill	...	Judge Harkin
Jeremy Piven	...	Lawrence Green
Nick Searcy	...	Doyle
Stanley Anderson	...	Henry Jankle
Cliff Curtis	...	Frank Herrera
Nestor Serrano	...	Janovich
Leland Orser	...	Lamb
Jennifer Beals	...	Vanessa Lembeck
Gerry Bamman	...	Herman Grimes
Joanna Going	...	Celeste Wood

Storyline

Wendell Rohr is a torts lawyer taking on the gun lobby. Rankin Fitch is the jury consultant for the Defendants and between them the battle is for the hearts and minds of the jury. But there is someone on the inside. Nicholas Easter is a juror with a girlfriend, Marlee, on the outside. they have a past ..... and their own agenda.

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Plot Keywords:

jury | gun | lawyer | gun manufacturer | jury consultant | 

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Taglines:

Trials are too important to be decided by juries.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, language and thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Italian

Release Date:

17 October 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le maître du jeu

Filming Locations:

Esplanade Mall - 1401 West Esplanade, Kenner, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$56,413 (Switzerland) (30 April 2004)

Gross:

$12,083,403 (Europe) (30 April 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures, Epsilon Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The voice on the radio at the very beginning is Morning show host Rod Ryan. He was at one time based in New Orleans on his own show on The End. At the time the film was released on DVD, he had moved to Houston were he still broadcasts in the morning.

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Goofs

In the first scene when the defense and plaintiff first walk into the courtroom, the defense sets the rigged briefcase on the table as he walks to the table. In the very next shot they show a close-up of him setting the briefcase in place from a sitting position.

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Quotes

Pulaski: [cleaning fountain] Ah, bilge ring keeps crappin' out, blocking up the damn pump. I got it now, Nick.
Nicholas Easter: Last time, you nearly took out every sink in the quarter, you know.
Pulaski: Hey, that was those kids messing with the water main.
[coughs from cigarette]
Nicholas Easter: You know, you should really quit those things.

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Connections

References Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

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Soundtracks

"The Habanera from 'Carmen'"
Written by Georges Bizet

User Reviews

Good and disappointing all at the same time.

Good but a bit disappointing adaptation to the John Grisham thriller does not follow the book the way it should be, and lacks the momentum of the court proceedings that follow. The acting is first rate with Rachel Weisz and Gene Hackman being the standouts in a cast that includes Dustin Hoffman John Cusack, and Bruce Davidson. Weisz and Hackman's performances are of Oscar quality, despite the fact that the movie is not up to their caliber of acting. The setting is a little out of the way, and the pacing is a little off with scenes that go way to fast but the film is ultimately save by the acting by all involved, most of which is credited to Weisz and Hackman.

2 stars for Weisz and Hackman but don't expect anything close to the book.