The Pelican Brief

The Pelican Brief

By Alan J. Pakula

  • Genre: Thriller
  • Release Date: 1993-12-17
  • Advisory Rating: PG-13
  • Runtime: 2h 21min
  • Director: Alan J. Pakula
  • Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 12.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
6.6/10
6.6
From 1,548 Ratings
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Description

(Academy Award-winner Julia Roberts - "Ocean's Eleven," "Erin Brockovich") who finds herself embroiled in a terrifying web of intrigue extending to the highest levels of government after she writes a speculative legal brief exposing the illegal activities of a powerful oil magnate. When those close to her are killed by assassins, the young woman embarks on a desperate flight with a Washington, D.C., investigative reporter (Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner Denzel Washington -- "Training Day," "Malcolm X") her only confidant and ally. Co-starring Academy Award-nominee Sam Shepard ("The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," "The Right Stuff") and Tony Goldwyn ("The Last Samurai," "Ghost"). With Emmy and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow ("The World According to Garp," TV's "3rd Rock from the Sun"). Directed by Alan J. Pakula ("Sophie's Choice," "All the President's Men"). "Superb! Fantastic suspense! A major thriller! Fast and exciting" (WNBC-TV). "An exhilarating, breathless, first-class thriller" (CBS-TV). "Perfect casting and stellar work by writer-producer-director Alan Pakula" (Variety).

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Reviews

  • Great job ACTORS!!!!

    5
    By Jr. Vazquez
    This movie is simply PHENOMENAL!!! I recommend it to everyone. Note: "Julia Roberts & Denzel Washington" are simply amazing actors!

  • A Class Act all the way around!

    5
    By Maresy
    After reading the ROTTEN TOMATO reviews, I felt something was amiss. These critics have no clue to seeing a masterpiece of film at work ! Grisham's book is way over the top and Alan Pakula's film is a major tribute to Grisham's genius. Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are perfect together. Sam Shepard, Tony Goldwyn and especially Stanley Tucci and John Heard added to the suspence and tenseness of this production! I thoroghly enjoyed this when it came out in 1993. Go beyond the reviews and see for yourself what a great film this was!

  • Well *I* loved it

    5
    By iDave2
    Dunno where TomatoHeads come from but I thought movie was excellent, professional. Beautiful photography. Piano and strings poly over New Orleans Carnival background, when nervous audience knows Julia is in deep doodoo, just rocks. Cast, acting, character development all good. Plot, a rich whodunnit, keeps you engaged without losing you (although some reviewers appear lost, sorry, maybe watch again?). Julia is a doll but (if I were "objective") I still think she is a great actress. She does sexy, scared, intelligent, helpless, assertive, happy, manipulative, the whole enchilada. Denzel is so cool he may not have to work as hard but he plays a convincing if reluctant anchor for the surrounding storm. Denzel's boss, the President, also good, lots of experienced actors here folks. This would be a keeper if I bought movies.

  • SUPERB!!!!

    5
    By Rayoflight1975
    Amazing film with Roberts and Washington. Any bad reviews of this film are untrue and unwarranted. Highly recommeneded...suspenseful and very well acted!

  • The pelican briefe

    5
    By Kez35
    This was one of the best movies I have ever seen.

  • The Pelican Brief

    4
    By myild356
    Denzel elevates whatever he participates in. He is delicious in his role against the plastic Julie.

  • To Janet Maslin & Desson Thomson (Top Critics' Reviews)

    5
    By Jok7
    I don't know what these two knuckleheads are talking about. This was an excellent movie!! A well thought out movie and very well put together. It keeps you on your toes. You actually have to think for it all to make sense, but it all fits together very nicely. Not that many movies nowadays make you think, and for that and just the movie in it's totality, it's one of my favorites! Janet & Desson obviously can't appreciate well thought out and put together film. I'll never trust these two people on what's is and isn't good in film!!

  • Pleasantly surprised!

    4
    By siriuslystephanie
    We decided to rent this movie on a whim after hearing it referenced on the television show 30 Rock. We didn't know what to expect, and after reading several negative reviews, came into the movie with fairly low expectations. However, these bad reviews were entirely unwarranted. The suspense, action, and high drama were riveting, and the movie included stellar performances from Denzel Washinton and Julia Roberts. Although it did get a bit confusing in the middle, there were several unnecessary characters, and Julia Roberts should reconsider her nylon '90s apparel, the overall effect was highly enjoyable. We definitely recommend this movie. Plus, Denzel Washington looks so dapper in a suit!

  • well acted, dated thriller

    3
    By nikwax
    First off, Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts are superb here. The plot and direction,however, are both quite dated. The pace is slow by modern standards, the outcome is easy to guess, the bad guys are one dimensional. If you've seen "All the President's Men" then you've seen this movie.

  • Great Movie

    5
    By jman13!
    I was surprised how great of a movie this was. Denzel Washington & Julia Roberts gave an excellent performance in this movie. Keeps you thinking and on the edge of your seat the whole time!

Movies by Alan J. Pakula

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