Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

2009, Crime/Drama, 1h 45m

28 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Hackneyed and over dramatic, this undercooked courtroom drama suffers from bad dialogue and a twist ending you'll see from a distance. Read critic reviews

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Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Photos

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Movie Info

District Attorney Mark Hunter (Michael Douglas) has an impressive record in securing convictions and is contemplating a run for governor. Local reporter C.J. Nicholas (Jesse Metcalfe) is suspicious, however, and starts investigating Hunter's caseload with the help of Assistant D.A. Ella Crystal (Amber Tamblyn). Nicholas decides to frame himself for an unsolved murder to expose Hunter's unscrupulous tactics. But things spin out of his control, and he ends up facing the death penalty.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Violence|Brief Strong Language|A Sex Scene)
  • Genre:
    Crime, Drama, Mystery & thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Peter Hyams
  • Producer:
    Moshe Diamant, Mark Damon, Ted Hartley, Michael P. Flannigan
  • Writer:
    Peter Hyams
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $32.4K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Anchor Bay

Cast & Crew

Jesse Metcalfe
C.J. Nicholas
Amber Tamblyn
Ella Crystal
Michael Douglas
Mark Hunter
Joel David Moore
Corey Finley
Orlando Jones
Det. Nickerson
Lawrence Beron
Lt. Merchant
Sewell Whitney
Martin Weldon
David Jensen
Gary Spota
Sharon London
Judge Sheppard
Krystal Kofie
Taiesha
Randal Reeder
Survivalist Man
Grant James
Aaron Wakefield
Eric Gipson
Allen
Peter Hyams
Director
Peter Hyams
Screenwriter
Moshe Diamant
Producer
Mark Damon
Producer
Ted Hartley
Producer
Michael P. Flannigan
Producer
David Shire
Original Music
Peter Hyams
Cinematographer
Jeff Gullo
Film Editing
Ryan Glorioso
Casting
James A. Gelarden
Production Design
Kevin Hardison
Art Director
Susanna Puisto
Costume Design
Hannah Beachler
Set Decoration
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News & Interviews for Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Critics Consensus: 9 Looks Great, But The Plot’s Weak
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Critic Reviews for Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (26)
Full Review… Joe Neumaier New York Daily News Full Review… Ella Taylor NPR Full Review… Kyle Smith New York Post Full Review… Robert Abele Los Angeles Times Full Review… Frank Scheck Hollywood Reporter Full Review… Amy Nicholson Boxoffice Magazine Full Review… Matt McAllister Future Movies UK Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Full Review… Jason McKiernan Filmcritic.com Full Review… Prairie Miller NewsBlaze Full Review… Brian Orndorf DVDTalk.com
View All Critic Reviews (28)

Audience Reviews for Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

  • Sep 13, 2011
    Brilliant narrative despite the few plot holes. Enjoyable to watch.
    Sophie B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 18, 2011
    Not as bad as I heard it would be. And nobody plays a villain better than Michael Douglas. Gaps? Yes. A little far fetched? Yes. If for nothing else, see this for Michael Douglas.
    Lanning : Super Reviewer
  • Nov 23, 2010
    based on a classic fritz lang film, of the same name, this is a little more entertaining than it should be. it looks quite tv movie of the week, and performances arnt much above that, even michael douglas is homing it in, but it runs along smoothly and certainly being based on a film from trhe 50s you can see some of it in its tone, one interesting note is the music which comes off hitchcock at times and helps it along at times, a remake thats neither brilliant or bad, just oedinary
    scott g Super Reviewer
  • Sep 26, 2010
    The film was so so. The pacing was off. It kind of reminded me of films like The Pelican Brief, Sliver, and A Perfect Murder. Even though Amber Tamblyn and Jesse Metcalfe were ok in their roles, other actors in those roles could have done a much better job. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Ellen Page could have played those roles much better. Douglas does his best, given what he has to work with. Orlando Jones steals every scene that he is in.
    Sol C Super Reviewer
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