Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent

Presumed Innocent

1990Movie127 minEnglish

Rusty Sabich is a deputy prosecutor engaged in an obsessive affair with a coworker who is murdered. Soon after, he's accused of the crime. And his fight to clear his name becomes a whirlpool of lies and hidden passions.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users87%
Director: Alan J. PakulaGenres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

Rusty Sabich, a respected deputy prosecutor, finds himself entangled in a murder investigation when his colleague and former lover, Carolyn Polhemus, is found brutally killed. As evidence mounts against him, Rusty must navigate a labyrinth of legal and personal betrayals, including his wife's growing suspicions and his own compromised integrity, to uncover the truth before his career and life are destroyed.

Critical Reception

Presumed Innocent was a critical and commercial success, praised for its gripping suspense, strong performances, and intelligent adaptation of Scott Turow's novel. Critics lauded Harrison Ford's portrayal of a man torn between his profession and personal life, and the film's complex exploration of guilt, ambition, and the legal system.

What Reviewers Say

  • A taut and compelling legal thriller elevated by a commanding performance from Harrison Ford.
  • Intelligent script and direction that effectively balances courtroom drama with personal stakes.
  • The film masterfully explores themes of moral ambiguity and the corrupting nature of power.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's suspenseful plot and Harrison Ford's engaging performance, often noting its clever twists and engaging courtroom scenes.

Fun Fact

The distinctive courtroom during the climactic scene was filmed in the historic Old Cook County Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois, which has also been featured in other notable films.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
kevin2019

kevin2019

"Presumed Innocent" is an incredible pedigree of film on every level which opens by painting a portrait of the main protagonist Rusty Sabich, although the picture which slowly emerges is a far from perfect one. His marriage isn't all it cou...
JPV852

JPV852

Pretty good mystery-legal-drama features fine performances, especially from Ford and Raul Julia, though does rely a lot on coincidences (lucky draw to get that judge) but still finely directed and liked John Williams's score. **3.75/5**
John Chard

John Chard

Love - it's a killer. Presumed Innocent is directed by Alan J. Pakula, who also co-adapts for the screen with Frank Pierson from the Scott Turow novel. It stars Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Bonnie Bedelia, Raúl Juliá, Paul Winfield, Joh...