The RainmakerOriginal Film Review Essay Research Paper

The Rainmaker-Original Film Review Essay, Research Paper

John Grisham s The Rainmaker is the sixth novel to film adaptation and is by far one of the more accomplished. Directed by Francis Ford Copolla, this intriguing courtroom drama reveals the ordeals of a young lawyer and associate entering the realm of unscrupulous money hungry company s scams. They were totally unqualified to try the case of a life time, but every underdog has his day .

To become a Rainmaker is Rudy Baylor s (Matt Damon) ambition, to try the case of a lifetime and make the big bucks fall from the sky. Passing his bar exam with ease, this idealistic Memphis law school graduate, confidentially enters the eye-opening world of law and injustice in the 90 s. Kick-starting his career in an firm of ambulance chasing attorneys, headed by the shifty Bruiser Stone, Baylor s business is initially sparse, until Deck Schifflet (Danny De Vito) an unlicensed, street-wise legal assistant attempting the bar for the sixth time, steps in and demonstrates to the inexperienced Baylor how it is done.

Mrs. Birdie, (Teresa Wright) Baylor s landlady, becomes his first case, a chirpy elderly lady wishing to leave her fortunes to a TV evangelist, much to the disdain of her family, whom Birdie wants to cut,cut,cut from her will. His second case is Kelly Riker, (Clare Danes) a young woman repeatedly assaulted by her husband Cliff (Andrew Schue). Riker catches Baylor s eye in the hospital cafeteria, covered in bruises, attracting Baylor s special interest to the case, as well as the safety of the defendant.

The central case of the film is that of a mother s battle against an insurance company who refuse to pay insurance for her only son Donny Ray (Johnny Whitworth) who is dying of Leukemia. Dot Black (Mary Kay Place) puts forward a strong case, with the assistance of Baylor, unveiling the injustice Insurance Company Great Benefits exhibits in shunning a lower class family out of much needed money insuring a young man s health and well-being. A heartwrenching tale of injustice unfolds in this Memphis courtroom, accompanied appropriately with many a humorous action and anecdote.

The fact that it is set in actual locations in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, gives this 20th Century film great authenticity. The home of Dot, Buddy and Donny-Ray Black is representative of typical lower working class citizens; a run-down American ranch style house with a wide front porch and mesh screened doors. A glimpse at the backyard reveals a rusty, wreck of a classic car, containing Buddy Black and a bottle of liquor, and is covered in a congregation of stray cats. Inside houses a cosy kitchen, a scratched wooden table, paisley patterned lounge chairs and Donny-Rays bed, the centre of a simulated hospital room, with the few medical devices the Blacks could rustle up without the aid of insurance.

Another setting quite effectively featured is St. Peter s hospital, housing battered Riker. Entering the dim and gloomy cafeteria, contrasting the brightly lit, disinfected, starched white walls of the hospital rooms and hallways, gives the viewer a peek inside Riker s world of pain, confusion and poorly administered bandages.

The courtroom, where most of the action takes place, is the epitome of law and order. The squeaky clean marble floors and polished wooden beams display the tradition of the courtroom and the importance of all which takes place in this setting. Other settings also lend credit to the film, the tackiness of Bruiser Stone s office, the peace and beauty represented at the jewellry store where Riker is employed amidst visits to the hospital, and the dark and secretive cinema, where Baylor and Riker share a tender moment. All settings are effectively and appropriately chosen and are very apt in relevance to the storyline of the film.

The storyline is one of the most crucial parts of a successful film, though the actors who portray their characters realistically are the absolute essence of the production. The Rainmaker sports a cast of both experienced actors and up and coming stars of the film industry. Matt Damon, a young actor taking off in Hollywood, is the true star of this particular film. Playing the honest and idealistic Baylor s acting seems effortless as Damon comes across as if his character were his true self. He portrays the innocence of this young and inexperienced attorney extremely well in the scene when he enters the courtroom for the first time. His difficulty with the microphone, clearing his throat and his apparent nervousness depicts the reality that he had virtually no idea what to do.

Another credible scene in which Damon reveals his fine ability as an actor occurs upon viewing the aftermath of yet another beating of Riker. The emotions flashing across his face speak volumes, clarifying to the audience the intensity felt by Baylor towards Riker. Which brings about another merit in Damons performance, the amiable manner in which he befriends his clients both on a personal as well as professional level. Scenes when he is seen spending time with both Donny Ray and Miss Birdie reveal his compassionate nature and genuine liking of the people he is working with, both in character and not. Damon plays a perfect Baylor, his jokes funny, and acting believable, his commendable performance as Rudy Baylor one of great credit to the film.

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