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John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz, Bruce Davison ... see more see more... , Bruce McGill , Melora Walters , Jeremy Piven , Nick Searcy , Stanley Anderson , Cliff Curtis , Nestor Serrano , Leland Orser , Jennifer Beals , Gerry Bamman , Joanna Going , Bill Nunn , Juanita Jennings , Marguerite Moreau , Nora Dunn , Guy Torry , Rusty Schwimmer , Rhoda Griffis , Gary Grubbs , Dave Jensen , Mark Jeffrey Miller , Luis Guzman , Lori Heuring , Carol Sutton , Stuart Greer , Orlando Jones , Jason Davis , Michael Arata , Irene Ziegler , Stephen Milton , Deacon Dawson , Corri English , Wayne Ferrara , Douglas M. Griffin , Fahnlohnee R. Harris

Three people attempt to bend justice for their own purposes in this drama based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham. After a man dies in a shooting incident, his wife files a lawsuit against the... read more read more... company that manufactured the gun, with her lawyer, Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), arguing that the firm in question knew the shop which sold the weapon was not following federal regulations pertaining to the sale of firearms. As the case goes to trial, the firearm manufacturer is taking no chances on the outcome of a potentially devastating case, and they hire as part of their legal team Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), a "jury consultant" who makes it his business to see that he knows enough about the jurors to be able to guarantee the result of the trial. Fitch and his team have learned incriminating secrets about nearly everyone hearing the evidence, but Fitch discovers two factors he wasn't counting upon -- Nick Easter (John Cusack), the jury member who appears to have an agenda all his own, and Marlee (Rachel Weisz), a mysterious woman who has her own plans regarding bending the jury to her will. Bruce Davison, Jeremy Piven, and Bruce McGill round out the supporting cast. Incidentally, in John Grisham's original book, the case was filed against a cigarette manufacturer, but the producers opted to adjust the story after several real-life trials against tobacco companies. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

60,616 ratings

Critics

73% liked it

154 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 7 min.

Directed by: Gary Fleder

Release Date: October 17, 2003

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DVD Release Date: February 17, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (2,607)

  • kiriyamakazou
    October 14, 2011
    kiriyamakazou
    Runaway Jury is another exaggerated courtroom thriller by John Grisham. When I say exaggerated, I mean that in the best possible way. It's all done for excitement and entertainment. Here we find a court case concerning an office shooting. The widow attempts to sue the gun company... read more for liability. Meanwhile the gun manufacturers has hired Gene Hackman, a man that investigates and scrutinises juries so that he can offer the best chance of success for his client. As the film unravels many plot twists are thrown in the path of an interesting story. I think a more dramatic turn could have been beneficial. The problem is that we have a very current case that everybody has an opinion on, but the film focuses on the buying of a jury. To me this doesn't quite work because the case is fascinating enough. Sure the gun companies aren't the nicest of people, but they aren't breaking the law. The fight between corporate liability and a persons own actions was more intriguing. Once the film get rolling, we find out that the players are being played. There are some nice anti-hero character moments, where even Hoffman's idealistic and truthful lawyer are tempted by easy wins or intimidated by realistic threats. Personally, the film made the mistake of using interesting and current issues to pad out a pretty formulaic thriller. By the time it ended I was almost cringing at the forced Hollywood ending that undid all the interesting character work. Tense and likeable, without ever making you feel truly scared, it's a simple thriller for a lazy evening.
  • CloudStrife84
    April 23, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Loved the cast in this one, and the script per se is splendid as well. I've seen quite a few courtroom dramas in my days, and this definitely counts as one of the greatest. Sharp writing, delivered by top notch actors, puts it well above the standard. Because with talents like Ge... read morene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weiz and John Cusack, you know you're in for a good viewing experience. Check it out, you'll be happy that you did.
  • FrizzDrop
    November 29, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Actually a decent film. There was a theme of coercion meets ethics, the acting was superb, and the plot was not only believably but impressively researched. Props go to Cusack especially, who took on a role outside his usual repetoire of romantic comedies, and into one that invol... read moreved retribution and suffering. Hackman and Hoffman played off each other impressively, as they've known each other so long, and Weisz, always an amazing actress, was exceptional.
  • ythelastman89
    November 23, 2009
    ythelastman89
    This movie mainly fails because of the horrible source material. John Grisham either writes tremendously or terribly and sadly this is one of the terrible attempts. John Cusack and Gene Hackman were about the only decent aspects of this film and make it somehow watchable. It is b... read morey no means suspenseful like the story promises and has zero originality.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    Not a bad idea for a film, the plan goes a little too well to be taken seriously though! Great to see Hackman and Hoffman acting against each other for the first time!
  • CrookedlittleB33
    July 21, 2009
    CrookedlittleB33
    How the hell have I not seen this movie before? Finally watched it, and liked it a GREAT deal. What a great story and cast of characters, totally enthralling. [Review TBC].
  • aliceinpunderland
    May 9, 2009
    aliceinpunderland
    Pretty exciting but not terribly profound. The film doesn't get in too deep about law and responsibility; whenever someone starts to talk, they cut to the adversary in these flashy sequences that build cinematic suspense, but leaves me wanting a grittier drama. The ending is me... read moreant to be a big moving revelation but to me, blackmail motivated by a school shooting trivializes the school shooting.
  • 76Majikat
    January 16, 2009
    76Majikat
    An enjoyable Thriller with enjoyable performances. A good storyline adapted to screen from the John Grisham novel.

    Blackmail, corruption and manipulation are the key to this movie.

    Not a wow factor film, but an enjoyable one and a recommended one.
  • matertenebraum
    December 21, 2008
    matertenebraum
    This was a film that wasn't over-hyped, filled with talented actors and kept you watching all the way through. My rating is maybe a little generous but at the time just after watching it was one of most enjoyable movies I have watched for a long time, and I watch a lot (perhaps t... read moreoo much ;) Hackman was flawless as usual as an actor and once again maintained his great screen presence. Hoffman really portrayed the idealistic lawyer character well. Weisz played the female lead with the right mix of the strong and vulnerable. And Cusack, well I consider him an intelligent actor. He looked once again intelligent, thoughtful in his acting. The plot twists were not overdone but did offer some slight surprises which were hinted at along the way if you payed attention. Overall I'd recommend this movie to anyone, especially those who take their movies seriously.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    November 20, 2008
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Trials are too important to be decided by juries."

    Three people attempt to bend justice for their own purposes in this drama based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham. After a man dies in a shooting incident, his wife files a lawsuit against the company that manufa... read morectured the gun, with her lawyer, Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), arguing that the firm in question knew the shop which sold the weapon was not following federal regulations pertaining to the sale of firearms. As the case goes to trial, the firearm manufacturer is taking no chances on the outcome of a potentially devastating case, and they hire as part of their legal team Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), a "jury consultant" who makes it his business to see that he knows enough about the jurors to be able to guarantee the result of the trial. Fitch and his team have learned incriminating secrets about nearly everyone hearing the evidence, but Fitch discovers two factors he wasn't counting upon -- Nick Easter (John Cusack), the jury member who appears to have an agenda all his own, and Marlee (Rachel Weisz), a mysterious woman who has her own plans regarding bending the jury to her will.

    Review
    This is a good movie, not an excellent movie. It is entertaining, fast moving, and the actors are very skillful. It is an adaptation of a John Grisham novel. If you have read the novel and come expecting to see it acted out verbatim on the screen, you will be disappointed. However, that is true of almost every adaptation of a novel to the screen. The screenwriters use the book as a starting point for the story you see acted out in the theaters. This one is done as well as or a little better than most. I found myself interested and focused during every moment. The ending was perfect, the acting was great, and "a good time was had by all". I will watch it again and advise all my friends to do so as well.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper
October 27, 2003
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[T]his film ranks just below The Firm and The Client on the list of John Grisham-inspired thrillers, thumbs up. Full Review

Rex Reed
October 23, 2003
Rex Reed, New York Observer

A lot of famous faces populate the courtroom in this overplotted and farfetched tale of jury-tampering, but they and the horse they rode in on are all so mired in illogical, head-scratching incoherenc... Full Review

David Edelstein
October 22, 2003
David Edelstein, Slate

In spite of its cheesy plot twists, thoroughly second-rate direction, and criminally wasted ensemble, Runaway Jury adds up to a nice little gotcha! courtroom melodrama. Full Review

Charles Taylor
October 22, 2003
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

Fleder's direction confirms the impression left by his previous films, Don't Say a Word and Kiss the Girls among them, that he's a hack. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
October 17, 2003
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

A taut, escapist legal thriller.

Ann Hornaday
October 17, 2003
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Efficient, precise, carefully calibrated and terrifically entertaining.

Peter Howell
October 17, 2003
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

An awkward hybrid of courtroom drama and heist thriller that spends a great deal of time on running around and shouting, but precious little on amplifying the important issues it raises. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
October 17, 2003
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Runaway Jury hooks the audience, and after 10 minutes there's no looking back. Full Review

Joe Baltake
October 17, 2003
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Immensely watchable. Full Review

Peter Travers
October 17, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Runaway Jury doesn't have the guts for a real debate. Too bad. It robs the film of something essential: a point.

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Facts

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    • Rankin Fitch: Everybody loses, just not me.
    • Rankin Fitch: What do you hope to achieve if you win? You gonna bring Jacob Wood back to life? No. You just ensure that his wife goes to the cemetery in a better car, and that the heel that she snaps on the way to the graveside belongs to a $1,200 shoe. You get your name in the paper. But Jacob Wood and all the other gun violence victims remain rotting in their crypts.
    • Rankin Fitch: Everybody has a secret they don't want you to find.
    • Doyle: It's a set-up.
    • Marlee: Anybody can be gotten to.
    • Judge Harkin: I'm not sure, but I believe I'm buying lunch.
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Runaway Jury Trivia

  • What movie has Gene Hackman saying the line "trials are too important to be left up to juries?  Answer »
  • Runaway Jury, Time to Kill, The Chamber and The Client are all films based on the novels by which author?  Answer »
  • Which actor has starred in The French Connection, The Runaway Jury, and Enemy of the State?  Answer »
  • The Rainmaker, The Pelican Brief, The Runaway Jury, and The Firm are all films based on novel written by whom?  Answer »
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