The movie, shot on location in New Orleans, is as colorful as hell. But you start longing for a gray area. While Elephant sees the complexity behind the issue of gun violence, Runaway Jury offers only a stacked deck.
In the prosecution's corner is Dustin Hoffman as Wendall Rohr, as a lawyer with principles. Still, Hackman and Hoffman, old pals in their first film together, make a lively business of their one scene together -– in a toilet, no less.
The rest you can flush. Director Gary Fleder (Don't Say a Word) fares best showing the technology used to choose, spy on and manipulate jurors. But the mystery involving juror Nick Easter (the always reliable John Cusack) and his girlfriend, Marlee comes off as just another propaganda trick. Runaway Jury doesn't have the guts for a real debate. Too bad. It robs the film of something essential: a point.
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