The Client

PG-13

Released Jul 20, 1994

2h 0m

Mystery & Thriller

List

80%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

68%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

Fast-paced thriller, based on the John Grisham bestseller, about a boy whose life is endangered after he stumbles across vital information about a politician's murder. His lawyer is the only person offering protection from the unwanted attentions of the Mob and the FBI - but is she capable of saving his life?

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Critics Consensus

The Client may not reinvent the tenets of the legal drama, but Joel Schumacher's sturdy directorial hand and a high-caliber cast bring John Grisham's page-turner to life with engrossing suspense.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

You know, there are more exciting trials on free TV.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 16, 2017

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Slick, solid and saddled throughout with hackneyed motivation and implausible moments, Schumacher's film is both the best adaptation of a John Grisham novel to date, and a surprisingly suspenseful slice of escapist entertainment.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

As for Mr. Jones, he's just irresistible. In a smaller but still commanding role that loosely recalls his performance in The Fugitive, his coiled-cobra gaze and that smart, steely delivery remain in perfect form

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

The film is hideously colored. The mere look of it sets the mood. It only gets darker as danger increases, and everyone becomes more deliciously beastly. I loved every minute of it.

Apr 4, 2022

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...kicks off with an impressively riveting opening...

Rated: 3/4

Apr 13, 2021

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 16, 2007

Full Review

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Todd E B

The Client, though not the best of the John Grisham books brought to the screen, wins on the levels of 1. The acting from all involved. Tommy Lee Jones delivers one of his Top 5 performances. His cocky and arrogant Reverend Roy is perfect for this story. Susan Sarandon is on point as always with her down to earth performance as a former alcoholic and a cheap but smart, talented lawyer. The late Brad Renfro gives a great performance as a first timer in a film loaded with talent. He able to keep up with them all. 2. The story gets a bit melodramatic but the storyline mixes the mob and the courtroom together very well. Joel Schumacher does it once again after giving us The Lost Boys and St. Elmo's Fire and would eventually bring another Grisham book to life with A Time to Kill does his best with the script that was given to him. This is definitely a great watch and the dialogue is a joy to listen to. There are several scenes that I have played over many times but I will say that the first scene between Sarandon and Jones is one for the books. Have yourself a Grisham weekend and start with this one, then A Time to Kill, The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker and finish it off with The Chamber.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Michael

Great movie the way the characters interact with each other. Definitely a must to see!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/23

Full Review

Connor A

This film is bad. The plot is OK but the execution is poor. The characters are annoying and stupid and the acting from everyone is mostly bad. It starts off as a decent thriller but then very quickly turns stupid in the same scene, by the 1 hour mark I was bored so stopped watching.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

Emilliano Jr S

A fair, good written drama thriller.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/02/23

Full Review

elana k

The chemistry between Tommy-Lee Jones and Sarandon ... they just don't make films like that anymore! Really excellent cast and what a child actor, a debut Performance no less :-)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

Brandon H

How in gods name is this movie getting such good reviews? The dialog is atrocious, the accents are comical. I seen better acting on only fans. Id watch Blair Witch over this again. Big names actors don't mean its a good movie

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Susan Sarandon

Regina "Reggie" Love

Tommy Lee Jones

"Reverend" Roy Foltrigg

Mary-Louise Parker

Dianne Sway

Anthony LaPaglia

Barry "The Blade" Muldano

Anthony Edwards

Clint Von Hooser

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Synopsis

Fast-paced thriller, based on the John Grisham bestseller, about a boy whose life is endangered after he stumbles across vital information about a politician's murder. His lawyer is the only person offering protection from the unwanted attentions of the Mob and the FBI - but is she capable of saving his life?

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Steven Reuther
Screenwriter: John Grisham, Akiva Goldsman, Robert Getchell
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros., Alcor Films, Regency Enterprises
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 20, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $90.8M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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