The Rainmaker (1997) - 8 stars out of 10

The Rainmaker (1997) - 8 stars out of 10

"The Rainmaker" isn’t the best courtroom drama I’ve ever seen, but Matt Damon’s Tennessee accent is incredible and the plot is as airtight as an open and shut case.  You always know that you are in store for something unique when you see Francis Ford Coppola's name in the credits, and his adaptation of John Grisham's novel is just that!  Unlike most courtroom films that track a successful lawyer on the case that may end their career, this story focuses on a recent law-school graduate who is desperate for work and stumbles onto a case that is much bigger than he is ready for.  The cast is deep with talent, from Mickey Rourke's small role as a ruthless (and likely criminal) lawyer to Danny Glover's great performance as the judge and Danny DeVito's less-than-ethical approach to law.  Jon Voight steals the screen as the bullying Leo Drummond, and I wonder if this character's name is a throwback to Henry Drummond from "Inherit the Wind," one of the greatest lawyer characters in film (and stage) history.  And this all goes without mentioning Virigina Madsen, Roy Scheider, and particularly Claire Danes as the abused wife.  Add on Matt Damon's accent and you have some of the greatest actors of this era portraying Grisham's deep characters.  The story takes unexpected twists, all while engaging our emotions as we watch a young man die of untreated leukemia due to this count case.  It isn't "A Few Good Men" or "Twelve Angry Men," but it is definitely worth watching if you enjoy this genre.