The Pelican Brief Reviews

When this was made, John Grisham's stock in Hollywood was so high that one of his shopping lists could probably have spawned a blockbuster movie. If it had done, it would undoubtedly have followed the formula consolidated by this, the second of the big screen Grisham dramatisations: dense plotting, lots of legalese, two charismatic leads and a cavalcade of stars in small roles. Here, Julia Roberts plays the aspiring young legal eagle who stumbles across a massive conspiracy that reaches right to the Oval Office; her only ally is Denzel Washington's sceptical reporter, who finds himself investigating the scoop of a lifetime. The two leads are fine, but the real coup is the depth of talent in the supporting cast — Sam Shepard and John Heard are among those delivering killer cameos, but everyone is eclipsed by Robert Culp's witty portrayal of a shifty president. The plot combines legal thriller with conspiracy movie, so it's no surprise that the film's director is Alan J Pakula — whose previous work includes Presumed Innocent and The Parallax View — who weaves his way adeptly through the myriad characters and subplots.

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.

The assassination of two Supreme Court justices has bewildered the nation, but not coltish, flame-haired law student... read more on Time Out

When this was made, John Grisham's stock in Hollywood was so high that one of his shopping lists could probably have spawned a blockbuster movie. If it had done, it would undoubtedly have followed the formula consolidated by this, the second of the big screen Grisham dramatisations: dense plotting, lots of legalese, two charismatic leads and a cavalcade of stars in small roles. Here, Julia Roberts plays the aspiring young legal eagle who stumbles across a massive conspiracy that reaches right to the Oval Office; her only ally is Denzel Washington's sceptical reporter, who finds himself investigating the scoop of a lifetime. The two leads are fine, but the real coup is the depth of talent in the supporting cast — Sam Shepard and John Heard are among those delivering killer cameos, but everyone is eclipsed by Robert Culp's witty portrayal of a shifty president. The plot combines legal thriller with conspiracy movie, so it's no surprise that the film's director is Alan J Pakula — whose previous work includes Presumed Innocent and The Parallax View — who weaves his way adeptly through the myriad characters and subplots.

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.

The assassination of two Supreme Court justices has bewildered the nation, but not coltish, flame-haired law student... read more on Time Out

"...A celebration of liquid brown eyes and serious star quality....[Roberts and Washington] make the movie shine..."

"...A taut, intellectual thriller....Roberts is simply terrific....Washington also impresses..."