the fresh films reviews

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The Client (1994)

Director:
Joel Schumacher
COUNTRY
USA
Genre
Thriller
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Klienten
RUNNING TIME
116 minutes
Producers:
Arnon Milchan
Steve Reuther
Screenwriters (based on the novel by John Grisham):
Akiva Goldsman
Robert Getchell


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Reggie Love Susan Sarandon
Roy Foltrigg Tommy Lee Jones ½
Dianne Sway Mary-Louise Parker
Barry ‘the Blade’ Muldano Anthony LaPaglia ½
McThune J. T. Walsh ½
Clint Von Hooser Anthony Edwards -
Mark Sway Brad Renfro ½
Sergeant Hardy Will Patton ½
Dr. Greenway William H. Macy ½

 

Review

Joel Schumacher never was the most subtle of storytellers. He tends to resort to archetypes and overdramatizations for effect, and this film about a hardnosed 11-year-old trailer park kid who witnesses a suicide in the woods and finds himself stuck in a tug-of-war between government officials and the mob, is no exception. Although this narrative style may have been less conspicuous in the midst of the 1990s style of filmmaking, today it comes off as glaring and – not least – totally unnecessary. Because this story doesn't need Schumacher's "help" to come off as powerful; it's got all the ingredients of a tight and effective thriller as it is, complete with an attractive human factor to boot. Susan Sarandon helps to save several scenes and reminds us that this really is all about a kid in an unbearable predicament, something not many of Schumacher's other larger-than-life characters seem to pay much attention to. Of course, they're caricatured for a reason (genre-conventions and Hollywood are words that spring to mind), and in the formula that it tries to fit, The Client is as polished and well-made as intended. Tommy Lee Jones seems to have seen through it all and decided to have a little fun with his part. J. T. Walsh, Anthony Edwards and William H. Macy are other fine performers in underdeveloped parts.

Re-reviewed: Copyright © 22.2.2017 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang
Original review: Copyright © 1.9.1996 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang