John Grisham Online: The Firm

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green and white leafed plantsThe 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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