The Gingerbread Man ~ directed by Robert Altman, based on original story by John Grisham ~ stars Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downing,Jr, Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger, and Robert Duvall
Cover of the DVD says "He knew the law, but he forgot the rules: Never get involved with a client. And never put your family in danger."
Step into the courtly world of Savannah's top-tier law firms. Meet one of the brightest young stars of the bar, Rick Magruder. And witness how his obsession with a beautiful, mysterious client, stalked by her deranged father, plunges him into a world of terrifying intrique and deadly deceit. As a hurricane bears down on the city, Magruder finds himself locked in a battle without a judge or a jury - only an executioner.
Enough said, since I don't want to give away or spoil this film. I really think this is a good film, a sleeper, that got overlooked in marketing, since probably no one has even heard of this Grisham/Altman film. Siskel and Ebert did give it a "Two Thumbs Up!" - I agree with them. It is a well constructed film, with a strong cast and although I have seen it countless times (owning it), I still enjoy the film and the atmosphere and tension of the impending hurricane very much, although on first viewing you are hooked into the story and don't know what will happen next, so best on first viewing. It is quite intriguing and has some Hitchcock type details to pay attention to also. I think that when I read the reviews on Amazon many said they really did not know what the ending or outcome was going to be. It quite surprised them. I think about 50% of this movie is filmed in driving rain. It looks like a real hurricane and I was impressed with just this aspect of this film and thriller. The score is noteworthy and done by Mark Isham, in fact I would like to own this score on CD. It really adds to the uneasy feel of the movie, and yet has a distincive stylishness to it. The beginning is brilliant, with just the hint of someone (Rick) talking on the car phone coming into a the score and news/weather report in the background, while camera pans over an arial shot or satalite topigraphical shot of the surrounding areas that will be effected by the hurricane. The hurricane actually becomes a menacing character in this film. Filming was also quite noteworthy and done by Changwei Gu. Dealing with all that produced wind and rain must have been an achievement. This film was not a CG film. It probably was low budget actually and sticks with reality. I like the way the characters interact and things go array. I have listened to the commentary - actual noteworthy attorneys and judges acted in their respective roles. Perhaps the only criticism might have been Branagh's Atlanta accent, not his best, but adequate; his acting definitely makes up for it. All the actors hand in good performances. Robert Duvall is great in court - really quite convincing as Mallory's mentally ill father. Daryl Hannah is good as Rick's grounded secretary, their interaction perfect. First time I watched this film it really kept me on the edge of my seat. I had not idea what was going to happen and I found it scary as hell. I can't say any more about the film or I will give it away.
