Sunday, 6 July 2025

The Firm (1993 Sydney Pollack)

Marvellously plotted legal thriller, well, no - not a legal thriller. A thriller about a law firm. A law firm in which every partner is married, and no one leaves. OK, when you put it that way it does sound somewhat unbelievable, but it's a fun ride. (This equally applies to Cruise jumping out of a window and there's a conveniently padded truck below.) From John Grisham's best selling novel, adapted by David Rabe and Robert Towne & David Rayfiel. According to this source, Towne re-wrote Rayfiel's first draft and wasn't aware of Rabe doing anything. And he made some interesting changes. His ending in particular sounds better than Grisham's.

Tom Cruise and Jeanne Tripplehorn are the couple sucked into The Firm, presided over by Hal Holbrook, and Gene Hackman is a charismatic partner who's somehow less corrupt than the others. Add in a private eye Gary Busey and his moll Holly Hunter, a brother in prison David Strathairn and an investigating detective Ed Harris. Mix ingredients well and simmer for two and a half hours. Serve sizzling hot.

Also with Wilfred Brimley, Tobin Bell, Sullivan Walker. And, as a secretary, Margo Martindale. Photographed by John Seale. Edited by father and son Frederick and William Steinkamp (they worked together on Tootsie, Out of Africa and Havana), great piano based score by Dave Grusin.

Long but entertaining. Richard Halsey edited.



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