Presumed Innocent

Love - it's a killer.

Presumed Innocent is directed by Alan J. Pakula, who also co-adapts for the screen with Frank Pierson from the Scott Turow novel. It stars Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Bonnie Bedelia, Raúl Juliá, Paul Winfield, John Spencer and Greta Scacchi. Music is scored by John Williams and Richard Wolf, and cinematography is by Gordon Willis.

Prosecuting attorney Rusty Sabich (Ford) suddenly finds himself a murder suspect after his one time lover, Carolyn Polhemus (Scacchi), is found raped and murdered in her home. As the evidence piles up against him, and his marriage comes under further strain, Rusty hires top lawyer Sandy Stern (Juliá) to represent him when the case goes to trial. Battling the system that he knows insid...

Pretty good mystery-legal-drama features fine performances, especially from Ford and Raul Julia, though does rely a lot on coincidences (lucky draw to get that judge) but still finely directed and liked John Williams's score. 3.75/5

"Presumed Innocent" is an incredible pedigree of film on every level which opens by painting a portrait of the main protagonist Rusty Sabich, although the picture which slowly emerges is a far from perfect one. His marriage isn't all it could be or appears to be and his past is blighted by an obsessive and torrid love affair with co-worker Carolyn Polhemus. He suddenly finds himself on trial for her murder and all these unsavoury and unseemly past misdemeanours gradually and inevitably rise to the surface once more to create a fresh strain on his already fragile marriage. This is one of the many strengths of this film and it is perfectly balanced alongside the more investigatory aspects to produce a splendid film capable of some marvellousl...