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Movies / On DVD / The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker

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The Rainmaker (1997)

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88 %
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Reviews Counted:26

Fresh:23

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.2/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 17 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: John Grisham's THE RAINMAKER is adapted to film in this suspenseful retelling by Francis Ford Coppola. In Memphis, struggling young attorney Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) joins a shady law firm headed... John Grisham's THE RAINMAKER is adapted to film in this suspenseful retelling by Francis Ford Coppola. In Memphis, struggling young attorney Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) joins a shady law firm headed by Bruiser Stone (Mickey Rourke). After the firm comes under investigation, Rudy and fellow employee Deck Schifflet (Danny DeVito) start their own practice. While trying to dig up clients, Rudy meets a young spousal abuse victim, Kelly Riker (Claire Danes), and convinces her to leave her husband (Andrew Shue). But Rudy's biggest case is defending a young man (Johnny Whitworth) dying of leukemia and his mother (Mary Kay Place) against the insurance company who wrongfully denied their claim. Rudy and Deck find that their opposing lawyers, led by Leo Drummond (Jon Voight), have bugged their offices. Despite his inexperience, Rudy cleverly manages to get an undesirable juror (musician Randy Travis in a cameo role) removed from the jury. During testimony Rudy uncovers proof that the insurance company has a practice of denying all claims. As his relationship with Kelly takes a dangerous turn and the trial uncovers more insurance fraud, it seems Rudy must decide between being a good man or being a good lawyer. [More]

Starring: Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight

Starring: Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Mary Kay Place, Dean Stockwell, Teresa Wright, Virginia Madsen, Mickey Rourke, Andrew Shue, Red West, Johnny Whitworth, Wayne Emmons, Adrian Roberts, Roy Scheider, Randy Travis, Michael Girardin, Randall King, Justin Ashforth, Michael Keys Hall, Danny Glover

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Screenwriter: Francis Ford Coppola
Producer: Steven Reuther
Composer: Elmer Bernstein
Story: John Grisham

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 24, 2007

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Reviews for The Rainmaker

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/09/08
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The Rainmaker is easily the best of the Grisham movies so far, and it has touches of excellence, but it's a routine work.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

The overbearing soundtrack, unimaginative cinematography, and indulgently tear-jerking ending ... this all adds up to a surprisingly derivative movie from Coppola.

Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment 1 Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer

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Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
05/07/04
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

The Rainmaker aside from being competently made is not something that stands out for being fresh.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/06/04
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Jim Shelby
Jim Shelby
Palo Alto Weekly

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Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
09/18/02
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

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Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
06/18/02
Ruthe Stein
Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/24/02
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Celebrates the zeal for justice espoused by a rookie Memphis lawyer.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/01/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
N/R

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Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/14/01
Jack Mathews
Jack Mathews
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
01/01/01
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
N/R

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Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
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N/R

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Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Houston Chronicle
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