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From Amazon.co.uk
Another John Grisham legal thriller comes to the screen, pairing Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts in a film directed by Alan J Pakula, who is known for dark-hued suspense pictures such as Klute, The Parallax View, All the President's Men, and Presumed Innocent. The Pelican Brief isn't up to the level of those films, but it is a perfectly entertaining movie about a law student (Roberts) whose life is endangered when she discovers evidence of a conspiracy behind the killings of two Supreme Court justices. She enlists the help of an investigative reporter (Washington) and the two become fugitives. The charisma and chemistry of the leads goes a long way toward compensating for the story's shortcomings, as does a truly impressive supporting cast that includes Sam Shepard, John Heard, James B Sikking, Tony Goldwyn, Stanley Tucci, Hume Cronyn, John Lithgow, William Atherton and Robert Culp. --Jim Emerson
Product Description
Julia Roberts, James B. Sikking, Tony Goldwyn, John Lithgow, Denzel WashingtonDirector: Alan J. Pakula
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm a big fan of John Grisham's books and the film adaptations of the books usually make for excellent viewing also. It's many a year though since I've read "The Pelican Brief" so when I sat down to watch the film I was unsure as to how confident I could be that the film was true to the book. It was surprising to find out after watching the film though, that the film rights were actually sold before the book was written, and Grisham himself wrote the part of Darby Shaw with Julia Roberts in mind, so you would image that the film should be a near perfect adaptation of the book.
The plot in many respects is extremely simple; two Supreme Court judges have been assassinated in what seems to be unrelated attacks. Legal student Darby Shaw with no other though than to investigate the deaths as a mental exercise in research, puts together a plausible explanation of why they judges have been killed, a theory which implicates both the White House and the FBI. Darby's partner Thomas Callahan (Sam Shepherd) shows the report to a friend in the FBI, who in turn shows it to the head of the FBI, who in turn shows it to the President. Unfortunately for Darby it would seem that her theory is somewhere too near to the truth for both the President and the FBI as a succession of various hit men and thugs are now trying to make Darby's brief and Darby herself disappear. Solace comes in the form of Washington Post journalist Gray Grantham (Denzil Washington) who comes to Darby's aid as they both try to uncover the truth and print the real version of events.
Amongst the various chases and thrills and spills it does become more than a little confusing as to who is chasing who and who is exactly on Darby's side.
... Read more ›17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are simply outstanding in this film which draws you in scene by scene as your knowledge of what's going on increases and then is teased again by a further development. Perhaps frightening, because you could believe it could happen. I would have liked more of a romantic link between the two main characters, although its almost there, but perhaps I'm being a typical man wishing it were more obvious in the film - deeper woman may find the subtle appeal is enough already. Excellent film which I can't turn off once I've started it.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Tina Hett
Format:DVD
I've always loved this film, I had it on tape for years. It's a great story, intelligent, with superb acting. Other reviews say it all
What did annoy me was that the DVD is two-sided. You have to watch half the film, then turn the DVD over to watch the other half. This isn't going to be enough to irritate everybody but it really irrited me, and I really wouldn't have bought it if I'd known about the format.
I'm the lazy type who likes to settle down, surrounded by food, and not get up again until the film is finished and there's no food left. Like I said, not going to bother everybody but still worth knowing.
What did annoy me was that the DVD is two-sided. You have to watch half the film, then turn the DVD over to watch the other half. This isn't going to be enough to irritate everybody but it really irrited me, and I really wouldn't have bought it if I'd known about the format.
I'm the lazy type who likes to settle down, surrounded by food, and not get up again until the film is finished and there's no food left. Like I said, not going to bother everybody but still worth knowing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By M. J. Ogden
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This dvd is on both sides of the disc, requiring it to be turned over half-way through. This would not be a problem if it was clear on the box and on the disc itself. In fact the words "two-sided format" are in minute writing on the box, and there is nothing on the reverse of the disc to indicate that it is Side B.
None of my friends has ever come across a two-sided dvd, so they must be unusual, and it should be made much clearer.
None of my friends has ever come across a two-sided dvd, so they must be unusual, and it should be made much clearer.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Good film very glad to add it to our collection, it's one we will enjoy watching again.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jay
Format:DVD
Based on John Grisham's best-selling novel previously reviewed
Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) is a law student at Tulane who writes her own theory about who arranged for the assassination of two Supreme Court justices and why. The unfortunate thing is, her theory is right on the money, and once it starts circulating it results in a number of deaths. Investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington) turns out to be the one person she can trust and rely on.
"The Pelican Brief" is a solid and entertaining (if lengthy) political / newspaper / legal thriller from the director of "All The President's Men". It keeps its grip thanks to genuinely good film-making and an excellent cast. The climax is reasonably suspenseful.
To screenwriter / director Alan J. Pakula's credit, the villain of the movie - a stereotypically greedy and maniacal tycoon - is deliberately made mysterious and gets no actual screen time - except for an appearance in a key photograph.
Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) is a law student at Tulane who writes her own theory about who arranged for the assassination of two Supreme Court justices and why. The unfortunate thing is, her theory is right on the money, and once it starts circulating it results in a number of deaths. Investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington) turns out to be the one person she can trust and rely on.
"The Pelican Brief" is a solid and entertaining (if lengthy) political / newspaper / legal thriller from the director of "All The President's Men". It keeps its grip thanks to genuinely good film-making and an excellent cast. The climax is reasonably suspenseful.
To screenwriter / director Alan J. Pakula's credit, the villain of the movie - a stereotypically greedy and maniacal tycoon - is deliberately made mysterious and gets no actual screen time - except for an appearance in a key photograph.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By father2
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had this on a flipper DVD from a long time ago and when the Blu-ray was announced I pre-ordered it in anticipation of the vast improvement HD could bring. It arrived yesterday and I watched it last night. The picture quality itself is very nice, reaching what I would describe as the par standard for HD. But there are no subtitles at all with this Blu-ray and apart from a trailer there are no aditional features on the disc. Furthermore it seems that there is no way of browsing the chapters from the rather bland menu either. Very disappointing really.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Pelican brief though confusing at firtst with all its law terms is a brilliant film that should be watched by everone. You never know whose the goodie or the baddie and when you do it's very surprising. The ending is not to be missed as it is a real treat. Even if you don't understand what's going on the stunning performance by Julia Roberts will make you want to watch the film again because you want to understand. This may not be one of Julia's best but it comes very close. The chemistry seen on the screen between Julia and Denzel Washington is such a new experience that you don't want to miss.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ultimate suspense thriller
Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington join forces and deliver a stellar performance on this fast paced nail biting thriller- due to an overactive imagination of a Law student on a... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Alicia George
5.0 out of 5 stars
Typical Denzel Washington
A typical Washington film, thought provoking and so well done that time just passes with ease and leaves the viewer wanting more
Published 1 month ago by D. Andrew Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favourite films
I love this film I showed it many years ago when I worked as a projectionist at the Odeon cinema in Leicester square London and it has always remained in my memory, I originally... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Keith Phillips
1.0 out of 5 stars
great film but the dvd sticks
can't watch the whole film as it sticks all the time surely these are tested before selling . waste of money
Published 1 month ago by meadow
3.0 out of 5 stars
There is no Darby Shaw!
The Pelican Brief is directed by Alan J. Pakula who also adapts the screenplay from the novel of the same name written by John Grisham. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Spike Owen
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Pelican Brief
I recall this as a fine film what a pity the DVD disk is such a waste of space. Half way through the film there is a break and little or no help as to what happens next. Read more
Published 4 months ago by al'Miral
1.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie, rubbish dvd
This is first dvd I've had where you're required to turn it over half-way through. In addition, one of chapters on side 2 wouldn't play so had to be skipped. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gordon
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice film
One of those films which you will "fall in" and watch till the end. No real reason for me to want it, but the wife is a Julia R. fan so... Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Schaars
4.0 out of 5 stars
Understood this at last!
I have previously seen Pelican Brief twice and thought it was good but had trouble understanding the plot. Then I read the book on Kindle and needed to see the film again. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Westyman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book is better
After reading The Pelican Brief and thoroughly enjoying it, I had high hopes for the film. But so much was left out of the film, I found it completely inadequate and frustrating.
Published 9 months ago by gb
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