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The Pelican Brief
1993 141 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★6.4
Thriller, Crime, Drama
Director: Alan J. Pakula
📖 Based on the novel
«The Pelican Brief»
byJohn Grisham
Trailers
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Description
A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.
Budget:
$45M
US Gross:
$100.77M
Worldwide:
$195.27M
Starring
Julia Roberts
Actor
Denzel Washington
Actor
Sam Shepard
Actor
Awards
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1994
— Most Desirable Man
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1994
— Best Actress
Key opinion
The Pelican Brief is generally regarded as a competent and engaging 90s political thriller that succeeds through the star power of Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington. While many praise the film's tense exploration of power and conspiracy, others feel the narrative loses its investigative focus as it shifts into a generic chase film.
| Acting | Denzel Washington delivers a strong, composed performance that anchors the narrative as a gritty investigative reporter. | |
| Theme | The plot effectively explores complex themes of high-level government corruption, elite power brokers, and the vulnerability of those who challenge the status quo. | |
| Acting | Julia Roberts' performance divides critics, with some finding her charismatic and compelling while others label her portrayal of a law student unconvincing or mismatched. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split; some enjoy the slow-burn mystery of the first half, while others argue the film becomes repetitive or tedious once it transitions into an action-heavy chase. | |
| Direction | The film’s visual and directorial style is debated, with some praising its academic, character-focused approach and others finding the cinematography mediocre or lacking the punch of earlier Pakula works. |