Runaway Jury

2003

Runaway Jury

Critics Consensus

An implausible but entertaining legal thriller.

73%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 160

75%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 62,708
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Movie Info

When a young widow in New Orleans brings a civil suit against the powerful corporate consortium she holds responsible for her husband's murder, she sets in motion a multi-million dollar case. But it's a suit that may be won even before it begins--based solely on the selection, manipulation and, ultimately, the attempted "theft" of the jury. Representing the widow is Wendall Rohr, a courtly Southern lawyer with a moral center and a heartfelt passion for the case he's presenting. His opponent is ostensibly the attorney representing the corporation. But in reality, defense counsel is only the front man for Rankin Fitch, a brilliant and ruthless jury consultant. At a high tech command center set up in an old French Quarter warehouse, Fitch and his team work on the surveillance and assessment of potential jurors. He will know everything about their lives, and strategically manipulate the jury selection process. The only acceptable result is the perfect jury to vote in favor of his client. Fitch and Rohr soon realize they're not the only ones out to win the jury. One of the jurors, Nick Easter, seems to have his own plan for swaying the panel. And a mysterious woman known only as Marlee contacts both Rohr and Fitch telling them the jury's for sale to either of them--and that the verdict won't come cheap. While the case is argued in court, a dangerous cat and mouse game begins to play out in New Orleans' French Quarter. Rohr's morality put to the test, and Fitch is poised to cross the line from selecting a jury to stealing it--no matter who gets hurt in the process.

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Cast

John Cusack
as Nick Easter
Gene Hackman
as Rankin Fitch
Dustin Hoffman
as Wendall Rohr
Rachel Weisz
as Marlee
Bruce Davison
as Cable
Bruce McGill
as Judge Harkin
Melora Walters
Jeremy Piven
as Lawrence Green
Nick Searcy
as Doyle
Stanley Anderson
as Garland Jankie
Dylan McDermott
as Jacob Woods
Cliff Curtis
as Frank Herrera
Nestor Serrano
as Janovich
Leland Orser
as Lamb
Jennifer Beals
as Vanessa Lembeck
Gerry Bamman
as Herman Grimes
Joanna Going
as Celeste Wood
Bill Nunn
as Lonnie Shaver
Juanita Jennings
as Loreen Duke
Marguerite Moreau
as Amanda Monroe
Nora Dunn
as Stella Hullic
Guy Torry
as Eddie Weese
Luis Guzman
as Jerry Fernandez
Rusty Schwimmer
as Millie Dupree
Margo Moorer
as Kaufman
David Dwyer
as Birk
Michael Arata
as Raines
Rhoad Griffis
as Rikki Coleman
Fahnlohnee R. Harris
as Sylvia Deshazo
Wayne Ferrara
as Special Agent Novecki
Corri English
as Lydia Deets
Jason A. Davis
as Phillip Savelle
Xuan Van Nguyen
as Henry Wu
Rhoda Griffis
as Rikki Coleman
Douglas M. Griffin
as Terry Docken
Carol Sutton
as Lou Dell
Deneen D. Tyler
as Receptionist
Zach Hanner
as Ted
Andrea Powell
as Deborah
Dave Jensen
as Shamburg
Ted Manson
as Pulaski
Stephen Milton
as Darren
David E. Jensen
as Shamburg
Lori Heuring
as Maxine
Adella Gauthier
as Voodoo Shopkeeper
Afemo Omilami
as SUV Driver
Barret O'Brien
as Techie
Ned Bellamy
as Jerome
Orlando Jones
as Russell
Michelle M. Miller
as Reporter No. 1
Eric Paulsen
as Reporter No. 2
Margaret Lawhon
as Reporter No. 3
Gary Grubbs
as Dobbs
Lark Marie Fall
as Singing Woman
Marco St. John
as Daley
Henry Darrow
as Sebald
Don Henderson Baker
as Thernstrom
Daniel T. Kamin
as Cash
Lance E. Nichols
as Agent Shield
Deacon Dawson
as Hoppy Dupree
Elliott Street
as Ringwald
Mike Pniewski
as Strode
Joe Chrest
as Owens
David Ramsey
as Jimmy Hoke
Marcus Hester
as Kyle Murphy
Lara Grice
as Blonde Decoy
Loren Kinsella
as Cafe Waitress
Mark Jeffrey Miller
as Vaughn
Wayne Roberts
as Clerk
Harvey Reaves
as Agent Crowley
Wayne Ferrera
as Agent Novecki
Peter Jurasik
as Professor Phelan
Shannon Eubanks
as Phyllis
Celia Weston
as Mrs. Brandt
Irene Ziegler
as Peg Grimes
Ed Nelson
as George Dressler
Bernard Hocke
as Mason Foley
Mark Krasnoff
as Agressive Reporter
Christopher Mankiewicz
as Bartender
Cedric Pendleton
as Homeboy
Perry L. Brown
as Potential Juror No. 1
Don Hood
as Potential Juror No. 2
Elizabeth Omilami
as Potential Juror No. 3
Claudia Coffee
as Reporter No. 4
Charlie Detraz
as Reporter No. 5
Sally Ann Roberts
as Reporter with Cable
Stuart Greer
as Kincaid
Kathy Seiden
as Kathy
Jack Massey
as Henry Wood
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Critic Reviews for Runaway Jury

All Critics (160) | Top Critics (43)

  • Director Gary Fleder's brisk, assured pacing also makes the implausibilities go down easier.

    Nov 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Germain

    Associated Press
    Top Critic

  • Nothing is quite what it seems and the twists of the plot are played out in some style by director Gary Fleder, who delivers some flashy montage sequences and avoids most of the usual clichés of New Orleans location shooting.

    Jan 17, 2004 | Full Review…

    Neil Norman

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • [T]his film ranks just below The Firm and The Client on the list of John Grisham-inspired thrillers, thumbs up.

    Oct 27, 2003

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic

  • A lot of famous faces populate the courtroom in this overplotted and farfetched tale of jury-tampering, but they and the horse they rode in on are all so mired in illogical, head-scratching incoherence, they need lawyers of their own.

    Oct 23, 2003 | Full Review…

    Rex Reed

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • As in all his films, there's a sense that honest human emotion bores Fleder, but he gets points for packing the trial with fine character actors, all of them adept at wringing humor and poignancy from cliche.

    Oct 22, 2003 | Full Review…

    Chuck Wilson

    L.A. Weekly
    Top Critic

  • In spite of its cheesy plot twists, thoroughly second-rate direction, and criminally wasted ensemble, Runaway Jury adds up to a nice little gotcha! courtroom melodrama.

    Oct 22, 2003 | Full Review…

    David Edelstein

    Slate
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (160)

Audience Reviews for Runaway Jury

  • May 07, 2014
    Thrilling dramatic thriller, Runaway Jury is a worthwhile film to watch that boasts a great cast of talented actors and a well constructed story. I thought that this was a very entertaining film, one that was gripping from start to finish, and always kept you on the edge of your seat. The mix of thrills, mixed with the courtroom aspect of the story goes well hand in hand, and it makes for an even more compelling picture. Runaway Jury is not perfect, but for the most part, it's a well crafted dramatic thriller that is elevated by its cast, which makes you forget the film's shortcomings. Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman give the film's strongest performances, especially Hackman who is intense in his role, and he really nails the character he portrays. Overall, the film is well done, entertaining, and tells an engaging story that is sure to appeal to viewers that enjoy a good courtroom drama. Although it doesn't break ground in this genre of film, Runaway Jury is yet another perfect example of a well executed drama that has a story set in a courtroom. At times the film could have been refined, but overall, I was very much entertained, especially, like I said before, the performances here are magnetic, and make up for the weaker aspects of the movie. I've only seen one film by director Gary Fleder before this one, and here he delivers a terrific drama that manages to really be entertaining enough despite its flaws, and it's one of those cases where the performances save the film from being a total bore, as the story itself is nothing too elaborate. Runaway Jury has its weak parts, but it's a worthy viewing, and it's a bit underrated as well, it may not be the best courtroom drama, but it's not the worst either.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Dec 14, 2013
    A decent courtroom thriller based on John Grisham's 1996 novel. Sure the premise stretches plausibility but the overqualified cast (John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman) do a fantastic job giving the proceedings depth and intrigue. Nothing too life changing but enjoyable on a rainy day.
    Christopher H Super Reviewer
  • Nov 25, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Apr 29, 2013
    Its another decent courtroom thriller, this one about jury tampering, that's about as formulaic and manipulative as they come. The cast saves it, almost acting as if it were all believable. Hackman serves up his enjoyable bad guy yet again (it hasn't got old yet, though Lex Luthor's my personal fav) while Hoffman shines as the knight in shining armor (as a knight should ... in the dreamtime).
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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