Genre: Thriller, Drama, Suspense, Courtroom, Law, Gore, Society
Tagline: Trials are too important to be decided by juries.
Plot: When a young widow in New Orleans brings a civil suit against the powerful corporate consortium she holds responsible for her husband’s murder, she sets in motion a multi-million dollar case. But it’s a suit that may be won even before it begins – based solely on the selection, manipulation and, ultimately, the attempted "theft" of the jury.Representing the widow is Wendall Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), a courtly Southern lawyer with a moral center and a heartfelt passion for the case he’s presenting. His opponent is ostensibly the attorney representing the corporation. But in reality, defense counsel is only the front man for Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), a brilliant and ruthless jury consultant. At a high tech command center set up in an old French Quarter warehouse, Fitch and his team work on the surveillance and assessment of potential jurors. He will know everything about their lives, and strategically manipulate the jury selection process. The only acceptable result is the perfect jury to vote in favor of his client. Fitch and Rohr soon realize they’re not the only ones out to win the jury. One of the jurors, Nick Easter (John Cusack), seems to have his own plan for swaying the panel. And a mysterious woman known only as Marlee (Rachel Weisz) contacts both Rohr and
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 ''Runaway Jury'' might have been better served if the casting was reversed, and Mr. Hoffman's small stature and busy methods were contrasted with Mr. Hackman's gift for playing weary reason.--ELVIS MITCHELL (The New York Times)
It's probably a given that the less finicky you are about thrillers, the more you will enjoy what Runaway Jury has to offer. The film has its share of high points, but the flaws are frustratingly obvious and impossible to overlook.  --James Berardinelli (ReelViews)
Here's a real mystery: How can John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, acting in a John Grisham thriller, be so dull?--Charles Taylor (Salon)
But since most filmgoers, and Grisham filmgoers in particular, prefer to check their brains at the door, "Runaway Jury" will probably safely follow its predecessors into marginal box-office profitability, critical scorn notwithstanding  -- (Boxoffice Magazine)
The movie hums along with a kind of sublime craftsmanship, fueled by the consistent performances of Hackman and Hoffman (in their first film together), the remarkable ease of John Cusack (the most relaxed and natural of actors since Robert Mitchum), and the juicy typecasting in the supporting roles.  --ROGER EBERT (Chicago Sun-Times)
Even with all the mechanisms of a typical courtroom drama, Runaway Jury and its high-powered cast takes things up a notch by giving audiences a fresh point of view--while nailing a worthy adversary.  --Kit Bowen (Hollywood.com)
...unfortunately the courtroom drama is only a tiny layer under a ridiculously implausible plot that asks for us to stretch our imaginations a little too far. 5/10--Scott Spicciati (Movie-Vault.com)
While many viewers will disagree with the final political outcome of the film, it will definitely spark some heated conversations that will last long after the ending credits roll. Don’t you just love it when a movie does that?  --Blake French (FilmCritic.com)
Runaway Jury isn't a bad movie, really. The film's never boring, primarily due to the efforts of the stellar cast; though it's quite telling that the most engaging element of the flick vacates in the first five minutes.  --David Nusair (Reel Film Reviews)
Aren't Gorillas only supposed to show up at the awesome, breathtaking shows that make me want to wet my pants? This Malfeasance Will Not Stand!  --B. Alan Orange (MovieWeb)
Even if you haven't read the book, this is still a pretty entertaining and gripping movie that grabs you from the opening credits and doesn't let go. So if you're a fan of legal thrillers, John Grisham, or any of the cast, this is one movie you shouldn'tmiss. B--Joshua Sandefur (MovieJustice)
B-movie melodrama, but one that’s so nicely put together and competently acted that you’ll come away satisfied even if you’re also embarrassed at being so easily manipulated. 75/100--Brian Webster (Apollo Guide)
...a breezily entertaining courtroom thriller that again clarifies why Grisham sells so well. --Jami Bernard (New York Daily News)
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| Directed by |
Gary Fleder
Don't Say a Word, Kiss the Girls, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead |
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| Written by |
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 | Brian Koppelman
Rounders, The Untouchables: Capone Rising, Ocean's Thirteen |
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| Music By |
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 | David Baerwald
Undiscovered, The Crossing Guard, The Night Club of Your Dreams: The Making of 'Moulin Rouge' |
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Well-acted, slickly-directed entertainment, enlivened considerably by the onscreen spectacle of Hackman vs Hoffman.  --Matthew Turner (ViewLondon)
The well-oiled machinery of the courtroom thriller "Runaway Jury" may slip a cog or two in terms of plausibility but, thanks to robust performances, slick pacing and a smart script that opens up the typically restrictive genre, the verdict comes down in its favor. --Megan Lehmann (New York Post)
"Runaway Jury" is a courtroom drama with a compelling story and something peculiar about it, too: For most of its running time, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of a rooting interest. The audience isn't quite sure who it's for or against.--Mick LaSalle (San Francisco Chronicle)
A decidedly mixed bag, "Runaway Jury" just goes to show that courtroom movies are far too interesting to be left up to Hollywood. But it's a heck of a lot more fun than jury duty.--Jeffrey M. Anderson (San Francisco Examiner)
With a perfect cast and multi-layered plot, it rattles along like a runaway train - a thrilling enough ride, even if it must come crashing at the end. 6/10--Anton Bitel (Movie Gazette)
"Runaway Jury" is the best big-screen adaptation of a John Grisham novel since "The Firm" in 1993.--Paul Clinton (CNN Showbiz)
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