Grisham's 'Runaway Jury' delivers positive verdict

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

RUNAWAY JURY (PG-13) Three-and-a-Half Stars (Good-to-Excellent) John Grisham's novels have inspired a cottage industry of judicial movies. But "Runaway Jury" might be the best of 'em all, thanks to an inspired veteran cast, led by John Cusack, Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman, as well as director Gary Fleder's fresh approach to the courtroom thriller. 20th Century Fox, 127 minutes.

"Runaway Jury" details the underground shenanigans and high-tech schemes aimed at controlling a jury in a high-profile suit against a gun manufacturer. John Cusack stars, along with Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman, old friends who are paired for the first time on screen.

Fleder has said he saw the story as a heist movie more than a conventional courtroom flick. The item being stolen is a jury — and how the theft is attempted (and whether it succeeds) is the gist of the story. So that's the way he filmed it, more like "The Score" or "Topkapi" than "Perry Mason."

And in the exciting end product, the final verdict isn't the only moment of suspense. Also, the first-class actors clearly revel in the engrossing drama.

Cusack plays Nick Easter, a young New Orleans resident who seems dismayed to get a jury summons. And yet, once he's in the jury box, it's clear a power game is in play. Outside the courtroom, a mysterious woman, Marlee, (Rachel Weisz) also seems connected to his manipulations.

Meanwhile, in the courtroom, a major gun manufacturer is being sued for the wrongful death of several people who were gunned down in an act of random violence. Handling the case for the plaintiff is Wendall Rohr, an idealistic lawyer (Hoffman). Though lawyers representing the gun firm oppose him, his most dangerous foe is the ruthless figure hired as their jury consultant. Nefarious and smart, Rankin Fitch (Hackman) knows more about the makeup of juries than anyone alive. His motto is: "Trials are too important to be decided by juries."

For a very high fee, Fitch will do everything to guide you properly through the selection process. And then he'll take things a step farther, trying to control that jury through a few key figures on the panel. This isn't just a guessing game. Fitch runs an operation out of a command center, tied by hidden cameras and bugs to several of the jurors and to the courtroom itself. And he has detectives and extortionists on his payroll.

If Fitch has his way, Lady Justice will be able to peek out from under her blindfold.

Cusack delivers a typically fine portrayal of a morally ambiguous man and Hoffman brings a potent combination of strength and integrity to his portrayal.

But Hackman is the actor you'll most remember. His Fitch epitomizes arrogant ambition, wicked intelligence, and utterly disposable ethics. Hoffman and Hackman mostly work in separate scenes. But as the tension builds in the narrative, film buffs will also eagerly await the eventual confrontation between these two fine veterans, even if it does take place in a washroom.

Rated PG-13, mild profanity, violence.