REVIEW: “Juror #2” (2024)

As a movie enthusiast with over four decades of cinematic exploration under my belt, I must say that “Juror #2” is a testament to the timeless talent of Clint Eastwood. This film is a fitting swan song for an icon who has graced our screens for seven decades and made his mark in every aspect of filmmaking.

It goes without saying, but few have had better big screen careers than the legendary Clint Eastwood. In addition to appearing in over 60 movies, the 94-year-old cinema icon has directed and/or produced a total of 44 features. He has even composed a total of seven film scores. On top of all that, he has received eleven Academy Award nominations and has had four Oscar night wins.

This takes us to “Juror #2”, a film that some are claiming could mark the end of Eastwood’s extraordinary seven-decade career. Although Eastwood has not explicitly stated his retirement, if he were to decide to step down, this might be an ideal choice for his potential farewell performance. Unfortunately, it seems it needs the grand cinema release it deserves.

Juror #2″ is not just a captivating courtroom thriller, but it stands out as a profound exploration of morality, using the American legal system to delve deeply into themes of guilt and justice. The film’s powerful script by Jonathan Abrams, combined with Nicholas Hoult’s nuanced lead performance – continuing his exceptional year – adds depth. However, it is Clint Eastwood’s signature concise and effective storytelling that truly brings the movie to life.

In “Juror #2”, Clint Eastwood delves into his longtime interest in ethical dilemmas within contemporary societal structures. Right off the bat, he plunges us into Justin Kemp’s (Hoult) life, a journalist residing in Savannah, Georgia, who is going through the tense late stages of his wife Ally’s (Zoey Deutch) high-risk pregnancy. Justin had hoped that his pregnancy predicament would exempt him from jury duty, but alas, he finds himself summoned nonetheless.

Justin is on the jury for a local murder case involving the death of a young woman named Kendall Carter (Francesca Eastwood). Her body was discovered near a bridge in a rocky creek bed. The accused killer is her boyfriend, James Michael Sythe (Gabriel Basso). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette) who is on the home stretch of her campaign to succeed her boss as the new DA. Faith believes she has all she needs to convict Sythe including eyewitness testimony, the medical examiner’s opinion, and Sythe’s own violent history.

However, Eric Resnick, Sythe’s public defender (played by Chris Messina), is confident that there are sufficient grounds for reasonable doubt. Apart from the suspect vehemently asserting his innocence, no murder weapon has been found. Moreover, the defense argues that the eyewitness testimonies lack credibility when subjected to careful examination. This dichotomy between the two parties forms and intensifies the courtroom drama in Eastwood’s narrative.

However, it’s Justin who holds a shocking secret. As he listens attentively to both sides of the argument presented by the prosecution and defense, he begins to suspect an unforeseen link between himself and the crime at hand. This discovery plunges Justin into a profound moral quandary, which ultimately influences him to passionately advocate for Sythe’s innocence among the jury of twelve. The drama intensifies as Eastwood and Abrams gradually reveal additional details, maintaining an air of uncertainty while building suspense.

Eastwood’s direction is incredibly admirable, showcasing a deft touch that recalls timeless classics like Kurosawa’s “Rashomon” and Lumet’s “12 Angry Men”. He masterfully explores themes with an incisive sharpness akin to a scalpel. His confidence in employing Yves Bélanger’s robust, classical cinematography is evident throughout his work.

In Eastwood’s direction, the actors truly shine, with each given quality scripts and room to delve deeper into their roles. Hoult portrays guilt effectively amidst doubt, while Collette excels in her role that veers off the beaten path. J.K. Simmons plays his part as a skeptical juror with unique perception, as always solid as a rock. Kiefer Sutherland also appears, offering a well-received performance as Justin’s mentor in a smaller role.

Juror #2″ relies on a twist that could have become a clichéd trick, but director Clint Eastwood avoids such a pitfall. Instead, his film is richer and deeper, with significant themes, escalating stakes, and actions that ripple far into the future. Simultaneously, it delivers enjoyment like a classic, finely-tuned genre movie. If this turns out to be Eastwood’s last film (a hope I secretly harbor isn’t realized), it would be an exceptional conclusion to an extraordinary career.

2024-12-05 19:56

REVIEW: “Juror #2” (2024)

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