Anime Forum Games Links Movies Music Profiles Survivor TV Shows Being a big John Grisham fan I couldn't wait to see this movie. Plus Jeremy Piven is in it and he's one of my favorite actors so my anticipation was great. I had read the novel about 6 months ago and thought it was one of Grisham's best. I knew a lot was changed for the movie, the biggest change is the book was about a Tobacco company while the movie is about a gun manufacturer. Two years ago a man shoots up his office and now the wife of one of the victims is suing the gun manufacturer who supplied the store with the gun that the shooter used to shoot up the office. Nicholas Easter is chosen to be on the jury but there is something neither side knows, Easter is pulling the strings of the jury and with the help of a woman on the outside, he will deliver a verdict for either side, for the right price. However, things are never what they seem and Rankin Fitch, a legend in jury tampering, is bound to find out how and why Nicholas Easter is pulling the strings. Even with the changes from the book, The Runaway Jury still keeps the basics. There are a few moments though that seem too unrealistic, like Easter giving chase to a man who was in his apartment. While it may sound normal, he goes beyond what any normal person would do. I highly doubt you will see a cast as great as this in any other movie this year. Gene Hackman plays Rankin Fitch perfectly and clearly steals every scene that he is in. Dustin Hoffman is able to hold his own and brings even more star power to the power. His argument with Rankin in the men's room is one to remember. John Cusack plays Easter and while I feel he didn't capture the Easter from the book, he gives a strong performance all around. Rachel Weisz gives a half hearted performance but she really shines through during a few of her scenes. Of course, I can't leave out Jeremy Piven, one of the few actors today who can play any role perfectly. His few scenes are well played but his talent is under used. Gary Fleder has brought us some very sub par movies like "Don't Say A Word" and "Kiss The Girls" and this is obviously his best movie yet. The movie starts off a little rough, giving away too much too early but Fleder gathers his thoughts and brings us some great court room action in the second half of the movie. While a number of things do feel rushed, jury tampering and the ending, the movie runs smoothly in the second half and time just flies. The movie is on the long side but it didn't feel like it was as long as it was. The script is good, you never feel like you're being bombarded with legal jargon that you don't know but the script lacks the dialog that makes Grisham novels so fun to read. In the end I left the theater happy. It isn't the best movie ever and it's not the best Grisham adaptation (A Time To Kill is vastly superior) but it holds it own. The amazing cast alone makes this a worth while movie to see. If you're into thrillers or if you like to read Grisham's novels then check out The Runaway Jury. Reviewed by: Americanpieflute Score:B- Reviewed on October 18 2003