The Gingerbread Man (1998)

Directed by: Robert Altman | 114 minutes | thriller | Actors: Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr., Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger, Famke Janssen, Mae Whitman, Jesse James, Robert Duvall, Clyde Hayes, Troy Beyer, Julia Ryder Perce, Danny Darst, Sonny Seiles, Walter Hartridge

The Grisham film adaptation ‘The Gingerbread Man’ is a typical genre film. In this case the genre of the court thriller. Although the lawsuit itself is of little relevance, it is the reason for the course of the story. As usual, the main character, Rick Magruder (Kenneth Branagh), is a lawyer. He takes on a case that doesn’t seem like much at first glance. That, of course, quickly turns out to be a big mistake. This fairly fixed storyline is generally paper thin and the entertainment should therefore mainly be provided by the actors.

Kenneth Branagh puts down a fairly convincingly successful Southern lawyer. However, he has the misfortune that his character is a not too sympathetic womanizer, who sometimes forgets to pick up his children from his ex. Not really someone you’ll sympathize with. His co-star Mallory Doss (Embeth Davidtz) is the damsel in distress, whose charms he naturally falls for. However, the chemistry is hard to find and as the film progresses you increasingly wonder what they have to do with each other.

However, there is certainly good news: the character of Branagh’s ex is played by our own Famke Janssen. She puts down a delightful and convincing bitch in a small number of scenes. Her ex-husband’s verbal and non-verbal disgust drips from the screen. Another supporting role is provided by Robert Downey Jr. who is Branagh’s filthy jack of all trades. Just casual enough and delivered with the right streetwise mentality. Enjoy both.

Besides the supporting actors, the film has another plus. It all takes place in the southern United States, which gives the film an unexpected atmosphere. The scenes in the swampy and remote forests with queer residents are just that little bit more special than the average shootout in an alley in the Bronx.

But it cannot be made more beautiful than it is. ‘The Gingerbread Man’ is decent in its genre, and comes with a Surprising Turn and Thrilling Denouement. For the enthusiast.