Sunday, December 1, 2013

Presumed Innocent | The Critique

Harrison Ford, one of the most bankable Hollywood actors, plays the Presumed Innocent in a fine courtroom thriller based on a novel by the same name and  directed by Alan Pakula. Pakula with his no-nonsense and incisive direction and Ford playing a multi-layered are two standout artists of the film. Supported by other cast, Ford brings out a very realistic caricature.

Prosecutor Rusty played by Ford comes to know that his colleague Carolyn has been brutally murdered. The case is assigned to him. Since he had a past with her, he should not follow on the case but this is unknown to others and he decides to play along. However, the truth is revealed and now he is the focal point of the murder trial. He is the accused. His actions are shady and to some extent prosecution has strong circumstantial evidence against him. He hires his rival as defense lawyer Sandy. Against the tide, Rusty and Sandy decide to back themselves.

There is a ‘Have Been There’ feeling and at times the film seems to be weak as far as content is concerned. However, good performances and direction well supported by the technical crew – background score and camerawork. Subplots of Rusty’s relationship with his wife and politics of a law firm at small and high level helps the development of the main story and well creased out climax.

Presumed Innocent is a flash of magic. It’s not perfect. It has flaws. But it works, it works well.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

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