JEANNE’S REVIEW

JUROR # 2, the latest --- and possibly the last --- effort from director Clint Eastwood, is a prime example of the fact that even an accomplished --- and brilliant --- actor like Nicholas Hoult cannot save a deeply flawed screenplay. Hoult plays Justin Kemp, a features writer for a lifestyle magazine, who finds himself on the jury in a high-profile murder trial.

Justin has a beautiful wife, Allison (Zoey Deutch), who is in the third trimester of a difficult pregnancy. He tries desperately to get out of jury duty so he can be with Ally, but to no avail. As the trial begins, Justin becomes painfully aware of the circumstances surrounding the death of the young woman whose accused killer is on trial.

Facing a distinct moral dilemma, Justin seeks advice from his AA sponsor, Larry Lasker (Kiefer Sutherland), who also happens to be an attorney. How fortunate for him. Advised against doing anything foolish, Justin now faces the decision he must make regarding the defendant’s, James Sythe’s (Gabriel Basso), innocence --- or guilt.

The questionable screenplay was written by Jonathan Abrams. There are so many holes in his plot, a slice of Swiss cheese would be envious. And though JUROR # 2 is billed as a legal thriller, watching paint dry is more exciting than this movie. And don’t even get me started on the ending.

Why Justin would bring attention to himself after the conclusion of the trial itself is ludicrous, but it gets worse. I won’t expound further because I don’t’ wish to give anything away, but suffice to write that JUROR # 2 leaves a lot to be desired as a “legal thriller”.

Hoult gives a credible, thought-provoking performance. He’s a marvelous actor and because of that JUROR # 2 does manage to hold your interest --- as long as he’s on screen. Toni Collette also stars as Faith Killebrew, the ambitious prosecutor, and Chris Messina is present as Sythe’s public defender. Both of these actors are consummate performers and give the dependable portrayals for which they are known. However, whomever was in charge of styling Ms. Collette’s hair should consider a new profession. But, I digress ---

J.K. Simmons has a small role --- and I use the word “small” judiciously --- as Harold, a retired police detective who ends up on the jury. But once he does a little investigating on his own --- he’s dismissed and never seen again. Another flaw, because he was on to something, but alas, apparently Abrams didn’t see the value in pursuing that plotline in his script. Why? It remains a mystery.

David likes JUROR # 2 a lot, but as I am fond of stating, what does he know? Save yourself two hours and watch Hoult in THE MENU (2022), if you haven’t already. It’s a much better thriller.

Opinion: Wait for VOD

DAVID’S REVIEW

Director Clint Eastwood’s latest film, JUROR # 2, is vaguely reminiscent of 12 ANGRY MEN, which could infuriate fans of that 1957 classic film. But the resemblance is only in terms of a hold-out juror among 12 people deciding the fate of an accused killer.

At the center of the story is a man named Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) who finds himself selected as a juror in the murder trial of James Sythe (Gabriel Basso). Sythe is accused of killing his girlfriend, Kendall Carter (played by Francesca Eastwood, Clint’s real-life daughter). They had a fight in a bar they frequented, and many people witnessed their argument.

The main witness, as called by prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette), is an elderly man who claimed to see Sythe outside a car, peering over a concrete wall where Kendall’s body was found in a creek. The catch here is that Kemp, married to Allison (Zoey Deutch), who is pregnant, has a secret that only his AA sponsor, Larry Lasker (Kiefer Sutherland), knows about. Kemp is faced with a moral dilemma that could very well have a direct impact on the guilt or innocence of the accused.

My writing partner did not care for this film, which is an understatement. However, I found it quite interesting, albeit perhaps a bit trite, given that it addresses the common notion that police limit their investigation to a single suspect --- it’s usually the husband or boyfriend --- based primarily on one questionable eyewitness.

The difference here is that the performances outweigh whatever shortcomings the script by Jonathan Abrams may hold. Collette is exceptional as the prosecutor who is a candidate for district attorney, Chris Messina is equally good as the public defender Eric Resnick, and J.K. Simmons is convincing in his role as a retired detective who is chosen for the jury but ultimately taken off the case and replaced by an alternate juror. And Basso is very compelling as the accused murderer proclaiming his innocence.

The really superb performance turned in by Hoult is a game changer. The problem that he faces is almost gut-wrenching, and we don’t know what his decision will be until the very end. This is a very different Hoult from the actor we have seen recently, as in TV’s “The Great” --- a portrayal which is hilarious, by the way.

One might argue that the jury’s decision is hastily presented, but we can draw our own conclusions about what was discussed in that jury room. As for the ending Jeanne alludes to, it was an unusual way to close the film.

Opinion: See It Now!