Runaway Jury Review

by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)
October 23rd, 2003

"Runaway Jury" - Guilty Pleasure
by Homer Yen
(c) 2003

In general, I am not enamored by courtroom dramas. It doesn't matter to me how competent the acting, how sympathetic the case for the plaintiff, or how eloquent the opening arguments. It's usually just a mundane exercise in stentorian histrionics or half-baked messages that try to make the case that big corporations are never legally responsible for anything but should be.

The message in "Runaway Jury" is timely but doesn't carry any real resonance despite tackling the controversial issue of gun control. A widow, whose husband was killed by a disgruntled employee, is suing fictitious company Vicksburg Firearms for his wrongful death. Was the gun manufacturer negligent because of lax sales policies? Or, should their mission to do business be protected under the 2nd amendment of the Constitution (which guarantees our right to bear arms)? It is a charged topic, and if the jury is sympathetic enough to the widow's cause, this may cause huge losses and damaging ramifications for the gun industry. To the casually civic-minded individual like myself, I say 'ho-hum' to the entire trial process. But to power-hungry individuals like Rankin Fitch (deliciously malevolent Gene Hackman), he knows that "some trials are too important to be left up to juries."

So, thanks to Hackman's contemptible nature, which takes villainy to a whole new level, and a twist on the courtroom drama genre, what we actually have is a craftily made film that is surprisingly watchable. Part of its success is due to its zippy pace and the cloak and dagger atmosphere. In this film, several central characters are constantly trying to outmaneuver each other in this very important case that could make or break personal careers as well as possibly reshape the legal system. Neither side can afford to lose. Ethics may need to be discarded in favor of the greater goal.
Part of its success is due to the strong screen presence of two film heavyweights. One is Hackman who chews up the scenery with his sense of greed and his need to win. It doesn't matter what the cause or the price. It's clear that he relishes his role in this film and we equally relish the zeal that he brings. Countering this Goliath is the diminutive and angelic Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), attorney for the plaintiff. He is the lawyer with a good heart, but his notions are as naive as they are noble. It's great to watch these two go head-to-head, each one unwavering in his philosophy.

But what really gives this film a kick is its plot revolving jury duty. The average individual may view this civic responsibility with apathy. But, there is a real sense of energy that swirls around the teams of lawyers that want to select the ones that will likely help their cause and dismiss the ones that won't. There's a buzz and intensity to the entire process of jury selection that rivals professional football play calling or even covert spy operations. It's an aspect you don't usually see, but we welcome this angle as a fun diversion.

"Runaway Jury" is a slick presentation that brings new life to this kind of film. Thankfully, the film is not a clinical exercise. Its various plot points and approaches keep you interested from beginning to end. It is arguably more fun than it really should have been.

Grade: B

S: 0 out of 3

L: 1 out of 3

V: 1 out of 3

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