High Crimes (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: Jim Caviezel, Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Adam Scott, Amanda Peet, Bruce Davison, Tom Bower, Juan Carlos Hern�ndez, Michael Gaston, Jude Ciccolella, Emilio Rivera, Michael Shannon, Carl Franklin, Arnon Milchan, Dennis E. Jones, Eric Sherman, Janet Yang, Grace Cary Bickley, Joseph Finder, Yuri Zeltser: DVD

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Description

Ashley Judd stars as Claire Kubik, a high-powered attorney whose perfect life comes down when her husband is charged with high crimes of murder. Enlisting the aid of a shrewd military lawyer (Morgan Freeman), Claire will risk her career and even her life to find the truth in this "head-snapping thriller" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).

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Customer Reviews

56 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

Average Customer Review

3.4 out of 5 stars (56 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A taut legal thriller, July 9 2004

By

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: High Crimes (Widescreen) (DVD)

Joseph Finder's bestselling novel comes to life in this well-made, though somewhat predictable, thriller as a savvy and love-struck lawyer is pitted against the military and its covert actions. Ashley Judd plays Claire Kubik, a lawyer on the way to a partnership until her husband is arrested for a military crime he swears he didn't commit. To defend him, Claire must navigate military law and threats, getting in deeper and more dangerously with every half-truth she uncovers.

The plot has fewer holes than most thrillers, although most viewers will see the "twist" a mile away. And that a law firm would jettison one of its promising stars because her husband was arrested is preposterous. Wouldn't they help in the defense? Still, given the holes in most thrillers these days, these lapses are minor. The acting is solid, with Judd creating a gutsy, smart woman who is capable of both unfaltering love and fury. Morgan Freeman does a fine job with his thin material as a once-alcoholic lawyer who is "a thorn in the military's side." James Caveziel, as Claire's husband, is less complex; his pleading got on my nerves by the end. Supporting roles by Amanda Peet (Claire's floozy sister) and Adam Smith (a young military lawyer) are adequate, though not highly memorable.

The strength of this film is in the pacing and the seamless way in which it unfolds. The issues it raises about the United States's involvement in El Salvador provide an interesting, though not fully developed, frame. Highly enjoyable, though not perfect, this film is a good way to spend two hours with a bowl of popcorn at hand.

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4.0 out of 5 stars PREPOSTEROUS BUT ENJOYABLE, May 29 2004

By

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: High Crimes (Widescreen) (DVD)

There are so many things in this movie that just couldn't happen, starting with a wife and non-military lawyer, defending her husband, and the inconsistencies in the plot line. However, director Carl Franklin keeps the movie going so briskly and the cast is so good, that I overlooked these and found myself enjoying the movie very much.
Ashley Judd plays Claire Kubik, who discovers that her husband isn't who he says he is, and then has to confront her own doubts as she tries to save his life.

Morgan Freeman is the recovering alcoholic, former military attorney, who decides to help her out and keep off the juice.
Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) is Ashley's husband and his performance is deeply moving, yet somehow dark and disturbing.
Bruce Davison's small role as the big shot general, is coldly efficient.
Amanda Peet plays Ashley's somewhat self-centered sister to the tee, and Adam Smith as Embrey, the green lawyer assigned to the case, also does well.
HIGH CRIMES pulls a twist at the end that's kind of "cheap" but it does work.
Joseph Finder, the author of the book on which this movie was based, gives some interesting commentary on the extras, and even has a featured role in the film.
Not a bad way to spend a couple hours.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Welcome portrayal of military as lying scumbags, but......, April 3 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: High Crimes (Widescreen) (DVD)

.....this movie was so ineptly and poorly done it was almost pathetic. Cliche-ridden script, wooden and unimaginative directing, and laughably contrived plot twists make this one a real zero. It's a real shame, too, because we don't nearly hear about this side of the military enough.

A capable cast does what it can with truly wretched material.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A script with holes but watchable!
Who really believes a lawyer may defend to her husband? Weird jury. Don´t you?
But if you let that point outside , you will watch an interesting film with a bit of... Read more

Published on July 9 2004 by Hiram Gomez Pardo

5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, Great acting!!
This is a perfect movie in every way. The acting is A++ and the plot is even better!! Ashley Judd plays the wife of a military man (Jim Caviezel) They are living a perfect... Read more