I had little expectations for this film but I was pleasantly surprised when I was sitting in the middle of it. The film is yes perhaps predictable and we've seen it all before but something about it is full of high energy and scares and thrills and it's the perfect night at the movies. Ashley Judd plays a high profile attorney who's life is turned upside down when her carpenter husband is arrested for murder years earlier while in the army. The twist is she didn't know he was ever in the army and everything from her husbands name to where he was during the murder is all new to her. Still she manages to trust him as best she can and offers to help the young, naive army attorney who has been assigned to her husbands case. To help them both with this heavy case that could bring the death penalty to her beloved husband they hire former Army Lawyer Charlie Grimes (played by Morgan Freeman.)
Freeman is...well he's Morgan Freeman he doesn't really have to BE anything...but as usual he churns out a wonderful performance as the alcoholic lawyer who was discharged for dishonourable conduct. The case unfolds like a perfect mystery as the team of three along with Judd's sister played by Amanda Peet (who turns out can actually act...who knew) tries to find the truth behind the military cover up that ended up with the deaths of nine innocent civilians. All the pieces fit together and you're following the film on the edge of your seat and rooting for Judd's character. Everyone in this film plays a part and they play it just wonderfully. This movie is a real nail biter, with plenty of cheap scares and drama. Morgan Freeman, who during the course of the movie goes from recovered Alcoholic to re-newed Alcoholic is interesting enough to hold the whole movie but he doesn't have to.
Unfortunately as with some good things...there is always a downside. The ending is a cheap, ridiculous thrill that is more of a let down than anything. After collecting all these facts that add up perfectly in everyone's mind including the audience, every single one of those facts are forgotten and tossed aside in order for a ridiculous supposed "surprise ending" which is not a shock or surprise or even a "oh my" ending. Such an enormous let down for such a fantastic film. Why they thought they had to end it like this is ridiculous. However...in saying that don't let that stop you from checking out this movie because it's well worth your ten bucks at the theatre, you won't be disappointed. I give this film a strong 8.5/10 but easily...without the ending could be taken as a 10/10 movie.
Freeman is...well he's Morgan Freeman he doesn't really have to BE anything...but as usual he churns out a wonderful performance as the alcoholic lawyer who was discharged for dishonourable conduct. The case unfolds like a perfect mystery as the team of three along with Judd's sister played by Amanda Peet (who turns out can actually act...who knew) tries to find the truth behind the military cover up that ended up with the deaths of nine innocent civilians. All the pieces fit together and you're following the film on the edge of your seat and rooting for Judd's character. Everyone in this film plays a part and they play it just wonderfully. This movie is a real nail biter, with plenty of cheap scares and drama. Morgan Freeman, who during the course of the movie goes from recovered Alcoholic to re-newed Alcoholic is interesting enough to hold the whole movie but he doesn't have to.
Unfortunately as with some good things...there is always a downside. The ending is a cheap, ridiculous thrill that is more of a let down than anything. After collecting all these facts that add up perfectly in everyone's mind including the audience, every single one of those facts are forgotten and tossed aside in order for a ridiculous supposed "surprise ending" which is not a shock or surprise or even a "oh my" ending. Such an enormous let down for such a fantastic film. Why they thought they had to end it like this is ridiculous. However...in saying that don't let that stop you from checking out this movie because it's well worth your ten bucks at the theatre, you won't be disappointed. I give this film a strong 8.5/10 but easily...without the ending could be taken as a 10/10 movie.