The Rainmaker (1997) (Special Collector's Edition)

 

 

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Matt Damon is Rudy Baylor, a law school grad with few employment prospects (any prospects actually) in this screen-daptation of the Grisham novel. Even if you've read the book (I'm no Grisham fan, but this book kept me reading) the film is still loads of fun. The book was a patchwork of plots that couldn't carry their own book (Rudy's futile job hunting; romancing a domestic violence victim, a widow who may be worth millions) centered around a lawsuit against an HMO who won't pay for a crucial bone-marrow transplant. The book capitalizes on the rogue's gallery who define Rudy's life - Bruiser Stone (Mickey O'Rourke), the local gangster-type who gives Baylor his first job; Deck (Danny Devito) a tireless investigator and client magnet who doesn't let repeated failed attempts to pass the bar exam keep him from the law; Rudy's landlady, who imagines a fortune that she can disinherit her kids from and Dean Stockwell and Danny Glover as the judges who successively handle Rudy's case. FF Copolla goes far and beyond with a story that could be easily boiled down to a Hollywood pitch (David and Goliath square off in court). There's no complex morality in the insurance case - the Insurer is suitably sleazy, relying less on a sustainable argument than on technicalities. Handling the case for the evil insurance carrier is Leo F. Drummond (Jon Voight), a founding member of the local "old boy network". The script (like the book) dwells less on the good v. evil than on the white-shoe nature of the enemy. (Damon's voice-over reminds us that his adversaries will have the benefit of a good night's sleep before going off to a key deposition). Baylor gets a few good breaks (Glover's judge being the biggest one - a smiling foil to Drummond's smug old-style corruptibility; in one scene, he legally rules for Rudy's side on the introduction of a key piece of evidence based on a precedent - the precedent being a single court case which is so on-point, the Judge need only look at the "headnotes" before making the decision - how often does that really happen?), and the high-priced legal talent doesn't seem to help the insurer at all. Still, even when it's shameless, there's something to be said for doing the "David and Goliath" routine the right way, and this flick delivers. Baylor and Deck (once they go into business for themselves) develop a working rhythm that allows them to be noble and still wicked-bad at the same time, and the script wonderfully drops subtle hints of a southern city with a veneer of gentility covering up a bubbling reservoir of evil. (The script tells us it's Memphis, but it may as well be any fictionalized city, like the Kindle County of Turow's novels, deftly brought to life.) Get this film.

THE RAINMAKER is a by the numbers adaptation of John Grisham's bestseller. Director Francis Ford Coppola explores no new grounds in this film, but elicits competent and professional performances from a stellar cast. Matt Damon who plays Rudy burst onto the scene in this movie, released just before his Oscar winning screenplay and starring role in GOOD WILL HUNTING. Damon captures the youthful impetuosity and naivete of a just bar-approved lawyer who finds himself involved in a case against a big insurance company. His assistant is played by a restrained Danny DeVito. Their boss is played by an unusually understated Mickey Rourke, who shows up on screen looking halfway decent for a change. His clients are wonderfully played by Mary Kay Place and Johnny Whitworth. Jon Voight delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Damon's devilishly cold opponent; Roy Scheider has a brief scene as the CEO of the insurance company; Randy Travis has a thirty second scene as an irate juror; Virginia Madsen is wonderful in a small role as the claims adjustor who was fired; Claire Danes is appropriately cast as the abused wife who turns to Damon for help. Oscar winner Teresa Wright turns up in a lovely role as an elderly lady who wants to leave her money to a tv evangelist.
THE RAINMAKER is perhaps a little too long (it clocks in well over two hours), and offers little in the way of suspense. It is competent, involving and ultimately satisfying, however. Matt Damon proved the hoopla about to come was deserved.

Another one of John Grisham's great novels produced as a movie. Well done! We received the movie promptly and would buy from here again!

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3.0 out of 5 stars Faithful but disappointing
The film is faithful to the core of Grisham's book, but certainly does not render the same impact and emotions as the book. Read more

Published on Mar 17 2010 by Lise Pigeon

4.0 out of 5 stars The Rainmaker- Worthwhile for All
Adapted from a novel by John Grisham, The Rainmaker details the life of a young and poor lawyer, Rudy Baylor. Read more

Published on Mar 31 2004 by Jessica

3.0 out of 5 stars A small letdown
When this movie was brand new, there was a commercial on television proclaiming The Rainmaker as "Coppola's best film since The Godfather. Read more

Published on Mar 19 2004 by J. GARRATT

4.0 out of 5 stars Rain Drops Keep Fallin' On My Head...
Based on author John Grisham's best seller of the same name, The Rainmaker, is a film that is solid--for sure. Read more

Published on Mar 6 2004 by T. Lobascio

2.0 out of 5 stars Ahh...it's all right
This is the film that proved my theory: Claire Danes is not leading lady material. She is better as a supporting role. Her acting style is repetitious and draggy. Read more

Published on Dec 21 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars one of Damon's best roles
Damon plays young and dashing Rudy Baylor who gets to work on a case that involves a sickridden boy and Baylor goes up against the powerful Jon Voight and his team. Read more

Published on Oct 25 2003 by Michael Bolts

4.0 out of 5 stars very well done
Matt Damon and Danny Devito are an unlikely pair who play each other off very well here. Damon plays Rudy, a fresh-out-of-law-school lawyer hired by Deck (Devito), who calls... Read more

Published on Oct 3 2003 by Saima Huq

3.0 out of 5 stars Law, weak women and tough men.
I heard the audio tape, before I bought the video. I think that the book is better than the film, although the film is fine. Read more

Published on Nov 14 2002 by Inger Watts

4.0 out of 5 stars Run-of-the-mill, yet entertaining, court room drama
Despite some problems, The Rainmaker comes off as an entertaining court room drama elevated by an excellent cast. Read more

Published on Oct 17 2002 by qmlhcb

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing!!!
It is indeed refresing to see "Good" winning. I like to see lawyer type of movies and this is one of the best that I have seen. Read more

Published on Oct 10 2002 by swallow

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