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Movies / On DVD / The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker

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The Rainmaker (1997)

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88 %
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Reviews Counted:26

Fresh:23

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.2/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 17 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: John Grisham's THE RAINMAKER is adapted to film in this suspenseful retelling by Francis Ford Coppola. In Memphis, struggling young attorney Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) joins a shady law firm headed... John Grisham's THE RAINMAKER is adapted to film in this suspenseful retelling by Francis Ford Coppola. In Memphis, struggling young attorney Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) joins a shady law firm headed by Bruiser Stone (Mickey Rourke). After the firm comes under investigation, Rudy and fellow employee Deck Schifflet (Danny DeVito) start their own practice. While trying to dig up clients, Rudy meets a young spousal abuse victim, Kelly Riker (Claire Danes), and convinces her to leave her husband (Andrew Shue). But Rudy's biggest case is defending a young man (Johnny Whitworth) dying of leukemia and his mother (Mary Kay Place) against the insurance company who wrongfully denied their claim. Rudy and Deck find that their opposing lawyers, led by Leo Drummond (Jon Voight), have bugged their offices. Despite his inexperience, Rudy cleverly manages to get an undesirable juror (musician Randy Travis in a cameo role) removed from the jury. During testimony Rudy uncovers proof that the insurance company has a practice of denying all claims. As his relationship with Kelly takes a dangerous turn and the trial uncovers more insurance fraud, it seems Rudy must decide between being a good man or being a good lawyer. [More]

Starring: Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight

Starring: Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Mary Kay Place, Dean Stockwell, Teresa Wright, Virginia Madsen, Mickey Rourke, Andrew Shue, Red West, Johnny Whitworth, Wayne Emmons, Adrian Roberts, Roy Scheider, Randy Travis, Michael Girardin, Randall King, Justin Ashforth, Michael Keys Hall, Danny Glover

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Screenwriter: Francis Ford Coppola
Producer: Steven Reuther
Composer: Elmer Bernstein
Story: John Grisham

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 24, 2007

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Rainmaker

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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The overbearing soundtrack, unimaginative cinematography, and indulgently tear-jerking ending ... this all adds up to a surprisingly derivative movie from Coppola.

Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment 1 Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online
N/R

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Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
N/R

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Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Houston Chronicle
N/R

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Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/24/02
Boston Phoenix

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
N/R

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Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Barbara Shulgasser
Barbara Shulgasser
San Francisco Examiner

Director Francis Ford Coppola makes a good effort, but his interesting character-based approach eventually dissolves into yet another uninspired courtroom drama.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide
N/R

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Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor
Salon.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
01/01/00
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Philadelphia City Paper

A surprisingly entertaining and compelling courtroom drama that finds its real strength outside the court.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Luty
David Luty
Film Journal International

The Rainmaker aside from being competently made is not something that stands out for being fresh.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/06/04
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
05/07/04
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews
N/R

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Full Review Source: NUVO Newsweekly | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edward Johnson-Ott
Edward Johnson-Ott
NUVO Newsweekly

Celebrates the zeal for justice espoused by a rookie Memphis lawyer.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/01/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
N/R

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Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gemma Files
Gemma Files
eye WEEKLY
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
N/R

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Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve
N/R

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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ian Nathan
Ian Nathan
Empire Magazine
 
 
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