The Pelican Brief
1993movie
“The Pelican Brief” is the Christmas Grisham, halfway round the year from “The Firm,” which was the Fourth of July Grisham. It is about as good, but in a different way. While “The Firm” was a muscular thriller with action sequences, “The Pelican Brief” takes place more quietly, in corners, shadows and secret hotel rooms. True, it has a few bomb explosions and chases, but by Grisham standards it’s claustrophobic.
Pakula's direction shines through in his ability to create tension without resorting to excessive violence or sensationalism. Instead, he ...
