Steineded How sad is this?

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Predrag "Presumed Innocent" is a good solid thriller/courtroom drama staring Harrison Ford as prosecutor Rusty Sabich who finds himself accused of the rape and murder of a female colleague. Although admitting he had an affair with this woman Sabich find that incriminating evidence has been found at the crime scene linking him with the offence. His boss turns against him and finding himself isolated from the rest of the legal community Sabich's only support seems to come from his betrayed wife and the lawyer hired to defend him. The idea of being accused for a crime one didn't commit and then finding that the odds are stacked against you of proving your innocence is probably a nightmarish thought that scares most people. In this sense the film works very well as you can't possibly see a way out for Ford's character. What adds another element to the tale is that the personality of Sabich is one where you can actually believe he did commit the crime, making the plot a real guessing game all the way through. Also coming into the fascinating mix is the neurotic wife of Ford, played by Bonnie Bedelia, who was well aware of his tryst with his fellow prosecutor. Bedelia plays a key role in the drama which is not resolved until after Ford's trial has played itself out.What we come to realize by the middle of the film is that political intrigue, blackmail, and sex influence *everyone* in the film. Anyone even tangentially involved in the case is dirty in some respect. No one is innocent. Although you may guess the true identity of the murderer before the trial ends, I promise you will never forget the speech delivered in the denouement of the film. As Sabich says in the final minute of the film, "There was a crime. There was a victim. And there *is* punishment." The John Williams score is quite haunting and will stay with you for some time. All of the principal actors (Ford, Bedelia, Julia, Winfield, Spencer, Mardirosian, Dennehy, Grifasi) deliver powerful performances. As a bit of trivia, Mardirosian and Grifasi later had guest appearances in the second season of a fledging TV series named Law & Order. Julia showed that he could play a serious role (unlike other roles in Street Fighter and Addams Family). As a previous reviewer noted, Julia should have garnered an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, as his performance carries the film from the second act forward. Overall, "Presumed Innocent" is a pretty solid movie. If you've never seen it and are a fan of court dramas or Harrison Ford, I would recommend it.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.

Mr-Fusion I've gotta admit that I conjured "The Fugitive" when reading the synopsis for "Presumed Innocent" (Harrison Ford accused of a crime he didn't commit), but the two movies are apples and oranges. With "Presumed Innocent", I got the impression that verisimilitude is what the filmmakers were after; show the audience the nuts and bolts of a trial, from the initial arrest to the actual hearing. The flashiness of your standard courtroom drama is absent here, which is why the movie is so methodically paced. And this is a great cast, although no one really has a fiery standout performance (except for Ford, whose decent man role defies his movie star status). Even Raul Julia (quickly becoming one of my favorite actors) is subdued here. Scratch that; subdued seems unfair. These actors are simply disappearing into the mechanics of the overall movie. The real surprise for me was that score, which sounds absolutely nothing like any John Williams music I've ever heard.I wasn't prepared for that ending, and I don't want to say it was cheap (although it felt that way at first), it did fit in pretty well with a movie's sleight-of-hand undercurrent.7/10

Maziun "Presumed innocent" is unfairly forgotten movie in both Harrison's Ford and Alan Pakula career's . It shows that Ford as an actor is more than Indiana Jones and Han Solo and it's last great movie of Alan Pakula.The movie is quite long (2 hours). I can agree that the first half is a little too slow and might be boring. It's necessary , because during that time we get to know the characters , explore their personalities and learn about the murder case. It's important to pay attention the whole time. The patience will be rewarded in the second half of movie with simple , yet subtle twists that will be better and better until the wonderful finale. Every puzzle will fit in the end . considering that dialogues are well written and the pacing gets better during the movie it shouldn't be hard. Many time you will be "Why I didn't thought about that?". Solid direction that never tries to unnecessary manipulate your emotions and well written screenplay will keep you interested in the story.Harrison Ford is great as the main hero –lonely , depressed , bitter . He's got a great support in Brian Dennehy ("Rambo : First blood") and Raul Julia ("Addams family"). Gretta Scacchi is sexy as Carolyn Polhemus and don't forget the solid Bonnie Bedelia as Ford's wife.This is more than fine courtroom drama . It will provide you entertainment, but also make you think about the difference between law and justice. I give it 7/10.

vincentlynch-moonoi I love the Indiana Jones films. But, in terms of Harrison Ford, they sometimes overshadow what I will refer to as his more serious films. So when I see a film like "42", or this one, I appreciate Harrison Ford's acting ability even more.One of the ways that I know this is a good film is that -- aside from Ford -- most of the actors are people I don't really care for. Brian Dennehy is usually a turn-off for me, but I have to admit that here he was very good as the head prosecuting attorney. I generally don't like or dislike Raúl Juliá, but here as the attorney defending Ford, he was excellent. Bonnie Bedelia, as Ford's wife, is an actress I give little thought to, and here she does her job. Paul Winfield is competent and interesting as the judge. Greta Scacchi, as the murder victim and Ford's colleague is good, and generally she turns in pretty solid performances, though she seems to generally be under Hollywood's radar.The script here is very good, particularly with the courtroom scenes that dominate the second half of the film. I do think that the film drags a little in places, particularly in the first half. Considering the film's 127 minute run time, there could have been some editing to tighten the action. There are a couple of nice twists, and all the loose ends are tied together before closure.Nevertheless, overall this is a class act (so to speak), and well worth your time. Highly recommended.