Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook, Terry Kinney Directed By: Sydney Pollack Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: May 23, 2000 Running Time: 154 minutes Studio: Paramount Theatrical Release Date: June 30, 1993
Product Description: FIRM (DVD) WS ENHANCED 16X9/DOLBY DIGITAL ENG 5.1
Amazon.com essential video: By far the best adaptation of a John Grisham bestseller, this smart, fast-paced 1993 film--directed by Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa)--offers up the dilemma of a young lawyer whose life is turned upside down when he takes a job at a Southern law firm owned by the mob. Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise), having just graduated from Harvard Law, is besieged with offers but takes a job, too good to be true, with a small Memphis firm. He and his wife, Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn), are sucked in by the seemingly close-knit, collegial nature of the firm's partners and the expensive perks that come with the job. His mentor, Avery (Gene Hackman), teaches him the ropes, but Mitch and Abby begin to sense there's something wrong with this idyllic life. When a couple of associates turn up dead, Mitch begins to investigate the history of the firm; and when the FBI asks him to spy on the firm for them, Mitch realizes his life will never be the same and that, if discovered, he, his wife, and his long-lost brother will be in mortal danger. Mitch must use all his talents as a lawyer to outsmart the firm, the FBI, and the mob in order to reclaim control over his life. A very entertaining thriller that engages the audience at a breakneck pace while not taking itself too seriously. It also features some fine writing and strong performances from a large cast of exceptional actors. --Robert Lane
"The Firm" ^ I heard about this film back in the 90s and decided to give it a chance. Too, I always hear about how much women love Tom Cruise and how much of a fantastic actor he is. The plot of this film is pretty original, but the way it was executed made it pretty difficult for me to ever really get into. I kept stopping it and then going back after awhile; I had every intention on finishing it because it does reel you in enough for you to want to know how it ends.
"The Firm" is the story of a guy fresh out of college with intentions on being a lawyer. He is given many offers to join firms, but one firm in particular is determined to have him and they pull out all the stops for him: he was given a bonus, new house and new Mercedes. What he is oblivious to, though, is the fact that this firm is notorious for murdering their lawyers. Once the lawyer finds out about this, it's either him or them. Throughout the movie he is set up a number of times by the firm; it's pretty sad to see that a group of conspirers could be that heartless, ruthless and cruel.
It's a decent work, but not the most entertaining film.
Fun but problematic ^ The main trouble here is that the buildup is better than the denouement. The further the plot dragged along, the worse the whole structure became at supporting all of the machinations. Finally, a fair number of awkward loose ends couldnt be avoided by the time everything ran its course. But when this realization hits you toward the conclusion of the film, chances are you wont care because youll be having a lot of fun all the same.
The Firm. ^ The Firm is a good movie, A thriller, and a Must see. The acting is good. I was surprised at how good it was. A Crooked Law Firm with Crooked Lawyers(No Surprise there!) you must see the movie.
The Firm ^ A Harvard Law School grad discovers that the law firm he has recently joined is run by the Mafia. This is one of the best Tom Cruise movies. The plot is fresh and the suspense is over the top. Rarely does a movie exceed the book upon which it is based. This is no exception; however, the movie stands alone as an extraordinary accomplishment. The adaptation is somewhat different from the book, but it stands alone as a credible and very exciting story. Acting is excellent. A modern literary classic.
Turkey Alert! Turkey Alert! ^ This movie takes place in Memphis, Tennessee. As such, there are lots of shots of Memphis, Tennessee -- especially downtown Memphis, Tennessee. ... If you're queer for lots of shots of Memphis, Tennesseee, you'll love this movie.
In this movie Tom Cruise runs fast -- especially at the end of the movie -- that's when he runs *really* fast. ... If you're queer for movies where Tom Cruise run *really* fast, you'll love this movie.
The plot to this movie is boring, tedious and utterly incomprehensible. If you're queer for movies that have plots that are boring, tedious, and incomprehensible, you'll love this movie.
There are any number of actors in this movie who are otherwise excellent actors. Sidney Pollack is a semi-excellent director. But, alas, all their talents are sadly wasted. But let's keep in mind that a lot of you out there in Cyberland are, yourselves, sadly wasted. All messed up. FUBARed and far from home. (As may be the horse you rode in on.) So, who knows, you may go for this flicker.
But that notwithstanding, your best bet, Pilgrim, is to avoid this turkey.
By the way, this movie is two-and-a-half hours long. So let's say you're not "sadly wasted," and let's say you're not FUBARed and far from home, but you *are* a masochist -- now you're in business, baby! Sit through two-and-a-half hours of this crap and you'll be in heaven.
In fact, if you were to look up the word "nauseous" in the dictionary, there'd be a picture of a guy throwing up his popcorn having just watched this movie.
In short, don't buy, rent or otherwise view this movie. If you do existential dread will follow you all the days of your life.
Babies as yet unborn should be warned as regards this movie. So if you see a pregnant gal, tell her and her baby on board: "Don't see 'The Firm.'" Never mind that the as yet unborn baby doesn't know what the hell you're talking about, as may the with-child mama, for God sakes, just warn them.
Warn, too, people just rescued from deserted South Sea islands who may *beg* you to see a movie, not having seen one in decades. Bodily restrain them from watching this movie. Lay 'em out if you have to.
Needless to say, whisper nothing about this movie to the relatives of the director, the producers, the actors and the staff of this movie. Tell them their children did a simply *marvelous* job -- but that, unfortunately, all the prints of the movie were stolen by a roving horde of gypsy ne-er do wells. Tell them that Henny Youngman's last words were: "Take this movie -- please!"
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