Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, J.K. Simmons and Toni Collette
‘A Captivating Courtroom Classic’
Few filmmakers in Hollywood are as iconic as Clint Eastwood. Since his rise to stardom in the 1950’s, Eastwood has become an icon that is legendary. Whether it’s unforgiven gunslingers, million dollar boxers or aging grandparents in dangers, Eastwood has created many strong characters. Arguably, Eastwood’s strength as a filmmaker has often been his bravery. He is one of those rare filmmakers which has never been afraid of tackling political subject matter. Shining bright light in darkness, Eastwood has become a renowned icon in the entertainment business. A legendary figure in Hollywood, he has stood the test of time as a beloved icon whose films are always good. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Eastwood has never lost his lifelong passion for creating unforgettable entertainment. At the age of 94, Eastwood is still going strong making timeless movies that audiences adore. A commemorated legend with an unbeatable track record, Eastwood has become a filmmaker that’s celebrated. Throughout a commemorated career, Eastwood has directed several unforgettable movies which tackle encompassing themes that are worth watching.
Now, Eastwood is back on the big-screen and his strengths as a filmmaker are evident in his latest movie “Juror #2”. An intense, thoughtful and riveting courtroom drama, it demonstrates Eastwood remains an iconic figure in Cinema. Packed with phenomenal production, strong storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is an amazing c performance by Nicholas Hoult, who embodies a guilty juror that becomes the suspect of a murder. Although “Juror #2” is an engaging courtroom drama, it’s not a flawless movie. It’s poorly paced, and lacks the strong character work of Clint Eastwood’s best films. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment fans of Clint Eastwood definitely won’t be able to resist. The film delivers a powerful message about justice which would definitely resonate with everyone. A captivating courtroom drama, there are many strong reasons why “Juror #2” is a film worth seeing.
“Juror #2” tells a story of a juror that becomes the suspect of a high profile murder trial which causes disaster. Nicholas Hoult portrays Justin Kemp, an intelligent juror with bright dreams of becoming a successful lawyer. Justin is excited when he’s given the chance to become a juror on a murder trial which is celebrated. However, what appears to be an ordinary trial turns into a disaster when Justin becomes the suspect of the murder. Facing an ethical dilemma, Justin questions whether he should confess his role in a crime causing trauma. Seeking assistance in the situation from juror Harold Chincowski (JK Simmons), Justin endeavours to prove that he is innocent. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Justin questions whether he would ever be able to be a successful juror in a courtroom case of murder. Forced to face a troublesome case, Justin wonders whether he can discover his legal place.
Clint Eastwood is a newcomer to courtroom dramas. Before he directed “Juror #2”, the filmmaker had never made a legal drama before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture lives of jurors accused of murder in court cases facing disaster but he succeeds immensely. Through strong cinematography, Eastwood captures a juror seeking to prove innocence in a case that causes catastrophe. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Eastwood has always had an aptitude for employing reaction shots in films to create tension, and “Juror #2” showcases his skills as a filmmaker. Throughout the movie, Eastwood effectively uses reaction shots to capture the tensions experienced by jurors facing a murder investigation. For instance, reaction shots are essential in the courtroom scene. During this unforgettable scene, Justin witnesses details about the murder scene which causes him to face tension. Through intense reaction shots, Eastwood captures hardships that jurors in a murder case go through. Reaction shots aren’t easy to use in movies. As Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” proved, reaction shots elevate celebrated spaghetti westerns. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Eastwood captures intense hardships that jurors in commemroated murder cases are experiecning.
Another admirable aspect of “Juror #2” that is worth praising is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Eastwood’s decision to shoot the movie in real life courtrooms is risky but it works immensely. Throughout the movie, Eastwood uses real life courtrooms to capture the tensions endured by jurors in criminal investigations. For instance, the real-life courtrooms enhance the lawyers’ confession scene. During this nerve-wracking scene, both lawyers offer closing arguments on the courtroom case. One admires the real-life courtrooms capturing the hardships which jurors in cases are facing. Through authentic courtroom locations, Eastwood captures the hardships experienced by jurors. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Mark Mancina’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden which jurors in grim murder investigations often bear. Using extraordinary production-design, Eastwood captures the lives of jurors in court cases that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Juror #2” is a courtroom classic which is worth watching. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture the events leading up to a murder. Eastwood’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing impact of murders on the lives of jurors facing tensions through flashbacks. Throughout the movie, Eastwood expertly employs flashbacks to capture the events leading up to a puzzling murder case. For instance, the flashbacks elevate the crime explanation scene. During this memorable scene, the lawyers recall the details of the murder investigation. One recognizes tense flashbacks capturing the hardships which jurors in murder cases are always enduring. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in films. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, flashbacks elevate prison dramas about redemption. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using a sharp screenplay, Eastwood captures the struggle of jurors in crime cases that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Nicholas Hoult delivers one of his best career performances as Justin Kemp. Hoult attained appreciation for playing zombies in romantic comedies. With “Juror #2”, however, Hoult took on his most emotional role. It’s challenging to portray a juror that becomes the suspect of a murder tragedy, but Hoult pulled it off deftly. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most compelling role. Hoult has often been one of those actors with aptitude for conveying emotions through expressions rather than his words, and “Juror #2” showcased his strength as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, guilt and internal conflict of a juror that becomes the suspect of a grim murder mystery. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most talented actors working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is extraordinary and also worth of recognition. J.K. Simmons is fantastic, bringing authority to a juror whose decisions to question the way legal systems are run comes with a price to pay. Toni Collette is captivating, bringing humanity to a female attorney driven to solve a courtroom case causing tragedies. Lastly, Chris Messina merits appreciation. As a dedicated lawyer, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Juror #2” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing the hardships jurors in cases often go through. Unlike most courtroom dramas, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The movie discusses timeless themes including identity, justice and guilt that will definitely without doubt resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message on the importance of finding justice which would strike chords with everyone. Therefore, “Juror #2” is one of those rare courtroom films which everyone would adore.
Despite its universal message, however, “Juror #2” can’t quite capture hardships that jurors in legal lawsuits go through. If there’s a minor drawback to the movie, it suffers from uneven pacing. Eastwood’s decision to integrate subplots about the personal lives of jurors into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Justin having romantic encounters with his wife aren’t as engaging as his legal investigation. As Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia” suggested, subplots about the personal lives of lawyers elevate movies about the AIDS crisis. Courtroom dramas thrive based on the quality of their pacing, and in this regard “Juror #2” falls short.
Nevertheless, fans of Clint Eastwood would certainly enjoy “Juror #2” and so will movie-goers that seek tense entertainment. An engaging courtroom classic, it celebrates a filmmaker that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A captivating portrait of the challenging hardships that guilty jurors questioning their innocence in courtroom cases are facing, it’s a compelling reminder about a legendary filmmaker that has built a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for his abilities to create characters which are compelling whose engaging movies are without a doubt worth celebrating even when he approaches the age when he should be retiring.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 