The Firm (1993)

Directed by: Sydney Pollack | 154 minutes | drama, thriller | Actors: Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook, Terry Kinney, Wilford Brimley, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, David Strathairn, Gary Busey, Steven Hill, Tobin Bell, Barbara Garrick, Jerry Hardin, Paul Calderon, Jerry Weintraub, Sullivan Walker, Margo Martindale, John Beal, Dean Norris, Lou Walker

Of all John Grisham films, Sydney Pollack’s ‘The Firm’ has been the most successful. At least when it comes to revenue. Whether it is also the best film adaptation is another question. A question that is not terribly relevant, by the way, because Grisham does not immediately write the most inventive stories. The most important thing about a movie based on one of his books is whether it has a good rhythm. Credibility and depth are often hard to find, so it’s mainly about the atmosphere. And in that respect ‘The Firm’ is quite successful.

Accompanied by a wonderful piano-driven soundtrack, in the first fifteen minutes a picture is sketched of main character Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise). A fanatic and brilliant law student, for whom interesting offers are up for grabs. Mitch ultimately opts for the big money and joins forces with a small law firm in Memphis, which, in addition to a solid salary, gives him a house and a solid car. His wife Abby (Jeanne Tripplehorn) initially has her doubts, but is convinced by Mitch’s enthusiasm. However, it soon becomes apparent that someone else is not entirely happy with the company.

Unfortunately, the film does not remain as sharp as in those first minutes. With more than 130 minutes to go, things quickly collapse. Mitch does not want to be corrupted and, as a true Hollywood hero, fights the injustice that his employer is trying to do to him. In that respect, Cruise is also excellently cast – he exudes the fanaticism and integrity that have been devised for his character. (An integrity, by the way, which the Mitch from the book somewhat lacks.) Gene Hackman as his opaque colleague Avery Tolar offers a nice counterbalance. But it’s all pretty straightforward and nowhere does it want to get really oppressive.

Thanks to a selection of interesting actors (m/f), there is still plenty to do. Ed Harris, for example, as the ruthless FBI agent who wants to pull Mitch into his cart to legally destroy the law firm. Or Gary Busey as a private detective with ADHD and Holly Hunter as his well-spoken assistant. And a beautifully subdued David Strathairn as Mitch’s brother, who is slowly fading away in prison, but trying to keep up appearances for Mitch that he’ll make it. Each and every one of them interesting performances, which unfortunately cannot hide the fact that the story itself has little to say.

Those who don’t care about that will find ‘The Firm’ a great way to spend your time. Considering the material, the film is a bit on the long side at two and a half hours, but it helps that the last half hour still manages to bring the necessary spectacle and a single plot twist. Furthermore, it is mainly the soundtrack by Dave Grusin that determines the rhythm of the film and that is to die for. So no grandiosity, but a lot of solidity, with a single positive outlier. And there is nothing wrong with that in itself.