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The Pelican Brief

PG-13 Released Dec 17, 1993 2h 21m Mystery & Thriller List
55% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 61% Audience Score 50,000+ Ratings
Taut thriller about a young law student whose legal brief about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices causes her to be targeted by killers. She realizes just how accurate her accusations have been when her lover and mentor is murdered. Forced to go on the run in New Orleans, she is aided by a journalist who helps her unravel a conspiracy involving senior government figures. Read More Read Less
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The Pelican Brief

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are a compelling team in the overlong Pelican Brief, a pulpy thriller that doesn't quite justify the intellectual remove of Alan J. Pakula's direction.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Pakula's always had a cool style, tending toward solemnity, but let's face it, All the President's Men this movie is not. You wish he'd have a little more fun with the pulpy material. May 3, 2018 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader It's too bad that Pakula allows this 1993 movie to dawdle after its climax, but prior to that he's adept at suggesting unseen menace and keeping things in motion. Mar 30, 2009 Full Review Brian Lowry Variety Pakula has improved on Grisham's book by excising much of the detritus, crafting a taut, intelligent thriller that succeeds on almost every level. Nov 5, 2008 Full Review John Ferguson Radio Times The two leads are fine, but the real coup is the depth of talent in the supporting cast - Sam Shepard and John Heard are among those delivering killer cameos, but everyone is eclipsed by Robert Culp's witty portrayal of a shifty president. Rated: 4/5 Jan 25, 2024 Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street The movie has a foolish ending, but it is worth seeing. May 26, 2022 Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Not on par with Alan J. Pakula's preeminent paranoid cinema. But depicting a POTUS at odds with his FBI director and creating obstruction of justice concerns aligns it with Pakula's other preternaturally predictive potboilers. Rated: 3/4 Jun 24, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Evan W Excellent adaptation of Grisham’s novel that stays true to the story line for the most part. Great performances by Roberts and Washington. Even though this one is a bit old it still shines. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/24 Full Review Paul C this film has not only stood the test of time - but bettered- superb performances - an intricate intelligent suspense thriller Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/07/24 Full Review Bob R Good casting. Good source material. Need more thinking movies like this. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/24/23 Full Review Jake D It's a basic Grisham novel turned flick, worth a watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/20/23 Full Review Cameron L Great story with an amazing slow pace with endearing atmosphere with great performances from everyone Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/20/23 Full Review Andrea C Trama complicata nei suoi intrighi, che punta troppo in alto con i complotti che finiscono per coinvolgere ogni alto funzionario e organo governativo degli USA; presidente compreso. I due protagonisti sono sicuramente grandi attori, mentre il resto del cast, soprattutto coloro scritturati per essere "villain" o presunti tali durante il film sono tutti clamorosamente simili; e i costumi peggiorano la situazione a dismisura. Comunque la trama riesce ad appassionare quanto basta per superare anche una regia piuttosto scadente ed antiquata. Meno elementi e più focus sarebbero stati meglio. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Pelican Brief

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Movie Info

Synopsis Taut thriller about a young law student whose legal brief about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices causes her to be targeted by killers. She realizes just how accurate her accusations have been when her lover and mentor is murdered. Forced to go on the run in New Orleans, she is aided by a journalist who helps her unravel a conspiracy involving senior government figures.
Director
Alan J. Pakula
Producer
Alan J. Pakula, Pieter Jan Brugge
Screenwriter
Alan J. Pakula
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 17, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 28, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$100.7M
Runtime
2h 21m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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