John Grisham began his journey to best selling author ($220 million net worth) in the early 1990s with an onslaught of legal themed action packed thrillers that one by one became blockbuster big screen hits.
Movies like “The Pelican Brief,” “The Juror,” and “A Time to Kill,” were packed with big name stars and in 1993, Grisham’s second novel, ‘The Firm,’ would send the writer to permanent A-List status, when it was turned into an Academy Award nominated movie featuring two of Hollywood’s biggest names.
A drawback movies have in comparison to their print counterparts is the time restrictions that can impede the depth, background, and likability (or distaste) for the characters involved. Director Sydney Pollack shatters this stereotype with “The firm;” one of the best aspects is that the characters, both lead and secondary, are introduced in a smooth and effortless fashion – and the viewer gets an immediate look at their life story from just a handful of scenes.
We open with Harvard law student Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise) in the waning days of school. We get the entire picture of McDeere’s life up to the that point in just the first handful of minutes as he’s seen on a bevy of job interviews with the top law firms in the country. Mitch is clearly being courted with high salary and multi perk offers bandied about.
Cruise’s demeanor is perfect for the character he’s portraying. We can tell immediately that Mitch McDeere is a down to earth and thoroughly rooted man. He’s not impressed with the money or the fame, but knows he’s a highly skilled legal prospect, correcting one senior partner who lauds him as being top 5% at Harvard. “Top 5.” He politely corrects. “Not 5%. Top 5.” He makes ends meet like most students do, waiting tables at a Boston pizza parlor in between multiple internships and the typical rigors of Harvard Law School.
His calm smile and steadfast attitude in the face of interview scrutiny and stress gives us the impression that McDeere can handle anything, and no situation will be too big for him to take on, foreshadowing of the events that are about to occur.
McDeere shocks his loving wife Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn) with a job offer from Bendini, Lambert & Locke – a small Memphis based firm that couldn’t be further from the cold and gritty streets of New York. Mitch is immediately impressed with the regal stature of the firm, cemented in the community in the deep south, and equally impressed by their courtship of him. “The letter you got from Bendini, Lambert & Locke was the only one we sent out.” The Senior Partner advises. “We want you.”
With “The Firm,” every character involved is a flawless representation of what they are intended to be, literally brought to life right from the pages of the book.
Jeanne Tripplehorn as Abby McDeere may be a head scratch at first glance; not the drop dead beauty one may picture with a Tom Cruise character. Instead, she offers a plausible representation of true love and role of a dutiful wife. Abby and Mitch have an enviable chemistry, able to talk and joke with one another as if its second nature. “You been in one limo you been in them all.” She remarks as the financially struggling couple arrive in Memphis on the firm’s dime, or “wheres yours?” She asks Mitch when he shows her the new Mercedes.
Where the Abby character is also important is her skepticism of the firm itself and some of its quirky demeanor. Yes they are a family, and not a business. They also employ all white, married men and advise her that working isn’t forbidden and they encourage children.
Opposite Cruise is legendary Gene Hackman in the role of Avery Tolar, Mitch’s designated mentor at the firm. Avery makes his first appearance as Mitch is struggling with an inordinate burden of work on his first day with a casual invitation to lunch. Avery and Mitch have a great rapport, an almost father son type of relationship with Avery serving as a bridge between Mitch and the deeper rooted sinister nature of the firm. “Bend the law as far as you can without breaking it.” Avery advises with an award winning smile that could talk a kid out of his candy.
Wilford Brimley plays Bill DeVasher, who runs security for Bendini, Lambert & Locke. As we start the story, DeVasher is concerned over ominous issues that happened prior to the events of the movie, with constant references to mysterious people in Chicago and the running fact that no lawyer has ever left Bendini, Lambert & Locke alive.
Ed Harris plays an FBI agent investigating the firm, and the great David Strathairn plays Mitch’s older brother Ray. And though short lived, Gary Busey makes a truly memorable performance as a sleazy private detective.
‘The Firm’ is one of the first books I can remember reading, and the movie is a fantastic adaptation, and one that may even exceed the enjoyment of the novel. It’s also a perfect choice for my 300th Buff review.
by – Matt Christopher
