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The Pelican Brief Reviews

1993

70
from 8962 members

Embroiled in an affair with Thomas Callahan (Sam Shephard), her alcoholic professor, precocious 24-year-old Tulane University law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) writes up an insightful theory about the recent murder of two Supreme Court justices, one of whom, Abraham Rosenberg (Hume Cronyn), served as Callahan's mentor. .. Read more

Starring	Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, Stanley Tucci
Director	Alan J. Pakula
Genres	Thriller

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Critic's review of The Pelican Brief
View all critics' reviews (4)
- Mundane chase movie, a paranoid thriller that rarely rings true and mainly consists of Julia Roberts being chased but not caught. Her fans may enjoy it.
- 29757
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
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Most helpful member's review of The Pelican Brief
View all members' reviews (27)
- - 2
  - 0
  Julia and Denzel - Fabulous!
  
  Suspensful and gripping with super performances by Julia (my most favourite actress in the whole world) and Denzel (my most favourite actor)!! Super acting and... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 211568
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Bob Reilly
  - Reading, UK
  - 26 Feb 2006 at 12:21
Most recent members' reviews of The Pelican Brief
View all members' reviews (27)
- - 0
  - 0
  Pelican Brief falls short of the book.
  
  Having read the book (and never seen the film) only a few months ago I was looking forward to seeing this film.
  
  I wish I hadnt bothered. The thing ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1067132
- - Sammydii
  - 6 reviews
  - 25 Nov 2011 at 21:37
- - 0
  - 0
  Bored! Bored! Bored!
  
  Bored after a brief few minutes, couldn't be bothered with it. It's too slow, would have been better if it started with a bang. Not at a snails pace.
  
  Report this review
- 997949
- - ajtblue
  - 3 reviews
  - Belfast
  - 28 May 2011 at 17:09
- - 0
  - 0
  Good but lengthy
  
  Really enjoyed watching this but it could have done with being a bit shorter. Great performances from Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts, Good story but not ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 903702
- - Li4mC
  - 41 reviews
  - Buckingham, England
  - 06 Jul 2010 at 23:03
- - 0
  - 0
  Big cast and great movie!
  
  A bit weak at the beginning but it tends to get much better after. Big cast & big movie that keeps you exited & intrigued till the end. Really good ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 886774
- - gianino
  - 458 reviews
  - London
  - 26 Apr 2010 at 14:27
- - 0
  - 0
  The Pelican Brief
  
  A very exciting and gripping film which needs all the concentration with out any interruption , otherwise one can loose the 'brief'. The film is very ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 753536
- - youlok
  - 6 reviews
  - Feltham
  - 07 May 2009 at 00:42
- - 0
  - 0
  very good film
  
  very good film just might be beliverable!
  
  Report this review
- 740433
- - a customer
  - london,uk
  - 09 Apr 2009 at 08:00
- - 1
  - 0
  A Roberts and Washington Masterpiece
  
  Great film with a brilliant storyline. Both actors at their best.
  
  Report this review
- 675309
- - Brian Smith
  - East Yorkshire
  - 19 Dec 2008 at 18:17
- - 0
  - 0
  Well worth watching
  
  Thought this was a great movie. Very captivating. Good story line that holds your attention. A well rounded out movie.
  
  Report this review
- 671621
- - a customer
  - Dunfermline
  - 11 Dec 2008 at 16:14
- - 0
  - 0
  Disappointing
  
  John Grisham is one of the finest writers in the world, right now. Every book he writes is crammed with intrigue and a catchy and interesting storyline. This ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 588651
- - AdamC
  - 2 reviews
  - Wales
  - 26 Jun 2008 at 18:39
- - 0
  - 0
  EXCELLENT
  
  Well acted and directed. Complicated plot that made you think. Good ending.
  
  Report this review
- 565664
- - JAP
  - 12 reviews
  - North Yorkshire England
  - 15 May 2008 at 12:08
View all members' reviews (27)

- - 2
  - 0
  Julia and Denzel - Fabulous!
  
  Suspensful and gripping with super performances by Julia (my most favourite actress in the whole world) and Denzel (my most favourite actor)!! Super acting and... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 211568
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Bob Reilly
  - Reading, UK
  - 26 Feb 2006 at 12:21
- - 2
  - 1
  PELICAN BRIEF
  
  I, FOR ONE, TOTALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE, THE INTRIGUE AND TWISTS WILL KEEP YOU RIVITED, VERY MUCH WATCHABLE
  
  Report this review
- 77332
- - peter rumsey
  - LEEDS, ENGLAND
  - 02 Mar 2005 at 14:15
- - 2
  - 1
  Fast paced
  
  Definitely one of the best films of a John Grisham book, fast paced with twists and turns in the plot.
  
  Great acting from Julia Roberts and one for ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 92563
- - a customer
  - Lancashire, England
  - 14 Apr 2005 at 19:19
- - 2
  - 1
  great
  
  a film for the whole family
  
  Report this review
- 218627
- - a customer
  - rotherham
  - 14 Mar 2006 at 13:16
- - 1
  - 0
  A Roberts and Washington Masterpiece
  
  Great film with a brilliant storyline. Both actors at their best.
  
  Report this review
- 675309
- - Brian Smith
  - East Yorkshire
  - 19 Dec 2008 at 18:17
- - 0
  - 0
  Excellent acting and great John Grisham adaptation
  
  Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington both give superb performances. I had read this John Grisham thriller some time before so I cannot comment on how true to ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 225895
- - George Harding
  - Woking, England
  - 29 Mar 2006 at 18:49
- - 0
  - 0
  Top thriller
  
  This is one of my all time favourite films. It is packed with suspense from start to finish, never lacking in speed the whole way through. Roberts and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 339165
- - DUMPY1
  - YORKSHIRE
  - 27 Jun 2005 at 23:34
- - 0
  - 0
  Disappointing!
  
  Firstly, people who rent this need to realise the film is on both sides of the disc. Secondly, I was quite disappointed with this film. I did watch all of it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 383703
- - Deb Walker
  - Essex, England
  - 11 Nov 2006 at 18:42
- - 0
  - 0
  THE PELICAN BRIEF
  
  The Pelican Brief, This is one of my all time favourite movies of Julia Roberts and was the first movie I bought with her in mind. She and Denzel Washington ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 438264
- - Cornetto
  - 959 reviews
  - Lancaster
  - 09 May 2007 at 22:43
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Viewing
  
  This is a film I have seen several times and I don't mind looking at it over again. It is a good story with loads of plots and intrigues.
  
  I ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 441925
- - a customer
  - Cannock, Staffordshire
  - 20 May 2007 at 22:06

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- The Pelican Brief - Blu-ray
  
  Julia Roberts (ERIN BROCKOVICH) stars in THE PELICAN BRIEF as sharp law student Darby Shaw whose querying mind gets her into trouble. A faithful adaptation of John Grisham's (THE FIRM) best-selling novel, this taut thriller follows the travails that beset Shaw when her theory on the cause of the ...

- - Buy
- The Pelican Brief
  
  Embroiled in an affair with Thomas Callahan (Sam Shephard), her alcoholic professor, precocious 24-year-old Tulane University law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) writes up an insightful theory about the recent murder of two Supreme Court justices, one of whom, Abraham Rosenberg (Hume Cronyn), ...