Despite the good performances from a star-studded cast, "Runaway Jury" was disappointing in the lack of credibility of its premise. From the beginning of the trial, it was apparent that there was jury tampering. For any attorney or judge with a conscience, this should have been declared a mistrial. Yet, they let it go forward.
Many of the scenes were preposterous, such as the judge inviting the jury for a meal at a swanky restaurant, or one of the jurors escaping sequestration. There were also criminal activities going on behind the scenes that were orchestrated by the shady fixer played by Gene Hackman.
Ultimately, the filmmakers wanted to make a statement about the importance of gun control. But the message turned out to be mushy and sentimental. Rachel Weisz was good in the role of the blackmailer. But the overall effect of the film was a muddled and inaccurate view of the judicial system. In this film, justice may have been depicted as blind, but the process was certainly disrupted along the way.
Many of the scenes were preposterous, such as the judge inviting the jury for a meal at a swanky restaurant, or one of the jurors escaping sequestration. There were also criminal activities going on behind the scenes that were orchestrated by the shady fixer played by Gene Hackman.
Ultimately, the filmmakers wanted to make a statement about the importance of gun control. But the message turned out to be mushy and sentimental. Rachel Weisz was good in the role of the blackmailer. But the overall effect of the film was a muddled and inaccurate view of the judicial system. In this film, justice may have been depicted as blind, but the process was certainly disrupted along the way.