Movie Review - Presumed Innocent

Presumed Innocent (1990)

Starring Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, and Greta Scacchi

Directed by Alan J. Pakula

***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***

I remember watching Presumed Innocent when I was fourteen or fifteen on VHS and being really impressed.  Courtroom settings have always been favorites of mine (loved The Practice and Murder One on television when I was growing up) and this drama starring Harrison Ford as a high-ranking prosecutor accused of murder didn't disappoint upon a second viewing.  In fact, if anything, I actually like it and appreciate it more for its ability to keep things both tense and smart.

When Rusty Sabich's (Harrison Ford) colleague in the district attorney's office turns up dead after a brutal rape and murder, Sabich's boss Raymond Horgan (Brian Dennehy) asks him to take on the case.  Horgan is up for re-election in a mere ten days and wants Sabich to have the killer in custody before then.  Horgan is unaware that several months prior Rusty had a lengthy torrid affair with the victim, Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi), and that Rusty may be hesitant to reveal all of his findings about the crime.  However, it's soon discovered that it appears that Rusty was at Carolyn's house on the night of the murder and Rusty is shortly thereafter accused of the crime.

This is an incredibly solid thriller that works on all levels.  Screenwriter Frank Pierson and writer-director Alan J. Pakula slowly reveal layers of the crime, pulling out surprises that are never too absurd to believe, but are always made known at just the right time to keep the audience on their toes.  Acting across the board is great with Harrison Ford in one of his best roles as a man who can't quite get over his infatuation with his ex-lover, but regrets the damage the affair did to his relationship with his wife who stuck with him even after his illicit liaison.  Brian Dennehy as the hard-nosed D.A., Raul Julia has Rusty's defense attorney, and Bonnie Bedelia as Rusty's wife all give great performances as well.

Couple all that with a classic ending and Presumed Innocent is a flick that should certainly be placed on everyone's Netflix Instant Queue.

The RyMickey Rating:  A-