Drama

Crime

Thriller

The Rainmaker

Douglas/Reuther Productions

American Zoetrope

Constellation Films

United States of America

English

Matt Damon

Claire Danes

Danny DeVito

Jon Voight

Mary Kay Place

Dean Stockwell

Mickey Rourke

Danny Glover

Virginia Madsen

Randy Travis

Roy Scheider

Red West

Johnny Whitworth

Andrew Shue

Teresa Wright

Wayne Emmons

Adrian Roberts

Michael Girardin

Randall King

Justin Ashforth

Michael Keys Hall

James Cunningham

Frank Clem

Alan Woolf

Sonny Shroyer

Pamela Tice Chapman

John Yancey

Francis Ford Coppola

John Grisham

Fred Fuchs

Michael Herr

Michael Douglas

Steven Reuther

John Toll

Barry Malkin

David Leonard

Jason White

Andy Gill

Brick Mason

Georgia Kacandes

Nelson Stoll

Katherine E. Beyda

David Kelley

Roman Coppola

Gary Marcus

Mike Thomas

Kathy Orloff

Scott Wilder

Jeffrey D. McDonald

Jeffrey Kushon

Steve Picerni

Eileen McCahill

Richard Drown

Melissa Kent

Scott Kinzey

Megan B. Agosto

Douglas Murray

Roy Waldspurger

Emilie A. Bernstein

Ben Beaird

Susan Thomas

Alicia Stevenson

David Betancourt

Jeffrey Paul Johnson

Mads Hansen

Mark Berger

Dawn Fintor

Erich Stratmann

Barbara Harris

Christopher Gray

Daniela Moore

E. Larry Oatfield

Paul Zydel

Michael Semanick

James Plannette

Scott Elias

Bob Baron

Lee Stepp

David McDonald

Chris Toll

Jeff Kunkle

Robert D. Yeoman

Darryl Wilson

Dennis W. Milliken

David Sousa

Nick Thomas

Michael Amundson

Wayne Fitzgerald

Phil Hetos

Theresa Repola Mohammed

Elmer Bernstein

Gary Archer

Barbara Munch

Whitney James

Arturo Rojas

Phillip V. Caruso

Lois Burwell

Scott P. Murphy

Bruce Lacey

Eugene McCarthy

Phillipa Sledge

Mark Levinson

Howard Cummings

Bob Shaw

Patricia Grande

Aggie Guerard Rodgers

Jeffrey Schlatter

Thomas Michael Ryan

Clare C. Freeman

Paul C. Babin

Linda Phillips-Palo

Tim O'Shea

Kathy Durning

Kim B. Christensen

Michael Kirchberger

Jack Gill

Jennifer L. Ware

Winnie D. Brown

Laura Tateishi

Jennifer Jobst

David Becton

Barbara Anne Klein

Guy Clayton

‘Good lawyer’ is not an oxymoron

RELEASED IN 1997 and written & directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on John Grisham’s book, "The Rainmaker" stars Matt Damon as an idealistic newbie lawyer in Memphis who takes on a fraudulent insurance company with Danny DeVito as his paralegal and Claire Danes an abused potential love interest. Jon Voight plays the lead lawyer for the insurance company and Roy Scheider the CEO of the corporation.

Beyond Coppola’s renowned expertise, the cast is stellar, which also includes Mickey Rourke as a smooth legal mogul, Virginia Madsen as a witness and Dean Stockwell & Danny Glover as judges. This was Damon’s break out role as a leading man, paving the way for hits like “Good Will Hunting” (1998) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998). He’s affable as the principled young lawyer and I liked the way the movie discreetly shows his new home life with the elderly lady, plus other budding relationships.

This is decidedly a drama with many courtroom scenes, so don’t except the thrills of other Grisham-based films, like the excellent “The Firm” (1993) and action-packed “The Pelican Brief” (1993), although there is an intense action sequence in the second half. While the first half confidently take its time with the drama, throwing in moments of realistic amusement, it segues into a compelling third act. Furthermore, “The Rainmaker” is a must for anyone interested in the good, the bad and the ugly of the legal arena in America.

The movie made $46 million domestically from a budget of $40 million (not including revenue from other countries), but it was still considered a disappoint in comparison to “The Firm,” which cost roughly the same amount and made six times as much at the box office. Coppola subsequently took a decade break from directing before reentering the fray with the inscrutable “Youth Without Youth” (2007).

THE FILM RUNS 2 hours, 15 minutes and was shot in the Memphis area of Tennessee, as well as Cleveland, Ohio and California (Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco).

GRADE: B

The Rainmaker is a compelling legal drama that showcases Francis Ford Coppola's return to form after the less successful Jack. Adapted from John Grisham's novel, the film follows Rudy Baylor, a novice attorney portrayed by Matt Damon, as he takes on a powerful insurance company in a wrongful death lawsuit. While the case's outcome may seem predictable, the narrative remains engaging, keeping viewers invested throughout.

Matt Damon delivers a strong performance, capturing Rudy's earnestness and determination. 1997 was indeed a significant year for Damon, with Good Will Hunting also releasing, further establishing his presence in Hollywood. The supporting cast, including Danny DeVito as Deck Shifflet and Jon Voight as the opposing attorney, adds depth and nuance to the story.

Coppola's direction brings a grounded realism to the film, focusing on the intricacies of the legal process and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The courtroom scenes are particularly well-executed, balancing tension and drama effectively. With Coppola's direction and the performances, The Rainmaker is notably one of the better adaptations of Grisham's work.

Despite its strengths, The Rainmaker didn't achieve significant box office success, grossing $45.9 million domestically against a $40 million budget. However, it received generally positive reviews.

In summary, The Rainmaker is a well-crafted film that combines strong performances with insightful direction, making it a noteworthy entry in Coppola's filmography and a testament to Damon's early talent.

The Rainmaker (1997) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

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