‘Juror #2’ is a classic and one that is a treat for the viewers; Clint Eastwood, a 93-year-old, shows no signs of aging, but rather showcases a perfect fusion with the courtroom style. With other productions we’ve seen such as ‘The Mule’, ‘Cry Macho’, and ‘The 15:17 to Paris’ being slight letdowns, it is a nostalgic way for the legend to end his career. Indeed, it was a smooth ride as director, from the looks of it it indeed looks like Clint is done with that particular task.
During the 80s and 90s, there was a rise in Movies with medium budgets and good plots, with time however the trend took a turn and now such movies are rare to find. Be it soulless IP sequels, daring indie movies, or good old reboots, the fall of good movies was nothing short of a disappointment. ‘Juror#2’ however does have the story along with production value to be sought after in the market, the thought-provoking narrative shows the class this movie is all about. With fine performances from a stellar cast, it attempts to raise some questions that will get you thinking while still keeping its prime focus on entertainment.
Nicholas Hoult does a great job portraying Justin Kemp, a writer who would rather look after his wife, Allison, who’s heavily pregnant as compared to wasting time on jury duty. Coming back to the present day, I can agree with how tedious the voiding process can be, watching the same questions get repeated, not to add the excuses from fellow citizens hoping to get out of the session.
In the movie’s Savannah, Georgia setting, having a baby doesn’t matter much.
Savannah was also the site of another Eastwood thriller, 1997’s ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ talk about sultry Giuseppe Roi. But we spend most of our hours here under a roof, in the courtroom and in the jury room as a dozen strange people unite and try to mete out justice to a media-magnified murder case.
A series of flashbacks show this shocking scene with other obscure details and angles slightly differing from the respective eyewitness or evidence. At least this much we do After a binge-drinking night quarrel with her boyfriend at the roadside honky-tonk, a pretty blonde Kendall (Francesca Eastwood, the daughter of the director) goes missing and the next day her body is found at the bottom of some bridge. The camera work of cinematographer Yves Bélanger and the dramatic sound of the movie puts one in the wind of emotion and confusion resulting from that ominous stormy night.
Wise-eyed and powerful attorney Killebrew (Toni Collette, still working on that Southern accent) believes this is a case that will get her into the district attorney’s office, easily, and of course. What is obvious, Kendall’s lively boyfriend James (Gabriel Basso) whom she had tempestuous fights several times must be responsible for the murder.
That night, they were seen together arguing as well as she was being chased outside into the parking lot.
His attorney tries to convince the jury that James is innocent by instilling reasonable suspicion and doubt in the mix. Chris Messina, the lawyer, has a rather persuasive approach. Throughout, James has maintained his innocence. The more Justin listens about the crime, the less confident he becomes about his own beliefs. He was at the bar the same night too and probably knows too much than he would like to admit.
Could it be possible that a John Grisham novel that was never published is being adapted into a movie? If that is indeed true then Jonathan Abram’s narrative sure has some retro thrills to offer.
Hoult portrays the role of a man in a gripping manner whose future is now fully dependent on whether he speaks the truth or not. The burden that comes with being an ex alcoholic and being granted a second chance has had a toll on him making it easier for the audience to relate to his character. Justin Kiefer has the perfect mix of compassion and honesty when portraying the role of a lawyer who is also an alcohol addict.
J K Simmons portrays the role of a detective suspicious of the way the case was dealt with during the proceedings and he also gave a strong performance for that role along with a supporting cast.
(In principle, the very fact that he was a policeman should have come out during jury selection, which is an error that the film is smart enough to acknowledge.) He seems to me in this role as a substitute for Eastwood: An experienced, set-in-his-ways, take-no-prisoner type who happens to be the top dog in the room and does not hesitate to show it. Cedric Yarbrough is also very good as another juror who has his reasons for voting to convict. And Leslie Bibb is funny in the lighthearted role of a suburban mom with the right kind of clothes in muted shades and a designer handbag with an embroidered name.
“Juror #2” for the better part of its running time may come across as a mundane procedural drama. But even so, it’s locked and loaded, and it’s the kind of footage you’ll feel compelled to talk about later with other adults who still appreciate this robust and substantial form of entertainment.
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