Watch John Grisham's The Rainmaker
- PG-13
- 1997
- 2 hr 16 min
-
7.2 (84,178)
John Grisham's The Rainmaker is a legal drama film from 1997, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, and Claire Danes. The movie revolves around the story of a young lawyer, Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon), who just graduated from law school and takes on his first case. Rudy is a struggling lawyer who is trying to make a name for himself in the legal world. He teams up with Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito), a disbarred lawyer who is acting as a paralegal to gather information in the case. Rudy's first client is a young woman named Kelly Riker (Claire Danes), who is dying of leukemia and has been denied coverage for a bone marrow transplant by her insurance company. As Rudy and Deck begin digging into the case, they uncover a web of corruption involving the insurance company and a group of doctors who are manufacturing false diagnoses to deny coverage to their patients.
Rudy is a young and idealistic lawyer who believes in justice and fighting for the little guy. His dedication to his client is unwavering, and he puts his heart and soul into the case, even as he faces personal and professional setbacks. The movie doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the legal system, and we see Rudy struggle with unethical lawyers, corrupt judges, and an arrogant defense attorney.
The performances of the lead actors are excellent, with Matt Damon's earnest portrayal of Rudy being the highlight of the movie. He brings a sense of idealism and determination to the character, and we see him grow and evolve as a lawyer throughout the movie. Danny DeVito is the perfect foil to Damon's character, playing the shifty and wise-cracking Deck with just the right amount of charm and cynicism. Claire Danes delivers a nuanced performance as Kelly, the tragic and sympathetic client who is fighting for her life.
Apart from the excellent performances, the movie also boasts stunning visuals and a memorable soundtrack. The courtroom scenes are shot in a way that feels cinematic, with the camera capturing the tension and drama of the legal proceedings. The music by Elmer Bernstein is hauntingly beautiful, adding to the emotional depth of the story.
Overall, John Grisham's The Rainmaker is a powerful and emotional movie that will appeal to anyone who loves legal dramas or stories about underdogs fighting against the odds. It's a movie that doesn't shy away from the realities of the legal system, but also inspires hope and belief in the power of justice.
John Grisham's The Rainmaker is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 72.