The Firm
In this drama, based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham, Mitch McDeer (Tom Cruise) is a young man from a poor Southern family who has struggled through Harvard Law School to graduate fifth in his class. Mitch is entertaining offers from major firms in New York and Chicago, but when Memphis-based Bendini, Lambert, & Locke offer him a 20 percent higher salary than the best offer he’s received, in addition to an enticing variety of perks and fringe benefits, he decides to sign on and remain in the South. Mitch’s wife, Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn), warns him that the deal sounds almost too good to be true, but it’s not until after several weeks of working with Avery Tolar (Gene Hackman) that Mitch discovers that the vast majority of BL&L;’s business is tied to organized crime, with crime boss Joey Morolto (Paul Sorvino) using the firm to launder Mafia money. FBI agents Wayne Tarrance (Ed Harris) and F. Denton Voyles (Steven Hill) try to blackmail Mitch into helping them make a case against the firm, while BL&L;’s “security director” William Devasher (Wilford Brimley) is blackmailing him to do as he’s told after Mitch foolishly allows himself to be seduced by a prostitute hired by the firm. The Firm was adapted for the screen by acclaimed playwright David Rabe and features performances by Hal Holbrook, Holly Hunter, and Gary Busey.
Synopsis written by Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IMDB user rating: 6.6/10
MPAA: Rated R for language and some violence.
Runtime: 154 min
Awards:
2 Oscar Nominations (Holly Hunter for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Dave Grusin for Best Music, Original Score)
(Holly Hunter for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Dave Grusin for Best Music, Original Score) Grammy Nomination (Dave Grusin for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television)
(Dave Grusin for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television) People’s Choice Award (Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture)
(Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture) BMI Film Music Award (Dave Grusin)
Trailer:
Short clip from the movie:
Cast
Tom Cruise – Mitch McDeere
Jeanne Tripplehorn – Abby McDeere
Gene Hackman – Avery Tolar
Hal Holbrook – Oliver Lambert
Ed Harris – Wayne Tarrance
Terry Kinney – Lamar Quinn
Holly Hunter – Tammy Hemphill
Wilford Brimley – William Devasher
David Strathairn – Ray McDeere
Gary Busey – Eddie Lomax
Steven Hill – F. Denton Voyles
Tobin Bell – The Nordic Man
Barbara Garrick – Kay Quinn
Jerry Hardin – Royce McKnight
Paul Calderon – Thomas Richie
Jerry Weintraub – Sonny Capps
Karina Lombard – Young Woman on Beach
Margo Martindale – Nina Huff
Dean Norris – Squat Man
Afemo Omilami – Cotton Truck Driver
Clint Smith – Cotton Truck Driver
Paul Sorvino – Joey Morolto “uncredited”
David A. Kimball – Randall Dunbar
Joey Anderson – Ruth
Rebecca Glenn – Young Woman at Patio Bar
Greg Goossen – Vietnam Veteran
Mark W. Johnson – FBI Agent
Tommy Cresswell – Wally Hudson
Debbie Turner – Rental Agent
Lou Walker – Frank Mulholland
James White – Singer at Hyatt
Bart Whiteman – Dutch
John Beal – Nathan Locke
David Dwyer – Prison Guard
Donald Jones – Attorney
Jonathan Kaplan – Lawyer Recruiter
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