"There's no thrill as big as nailin' an insurance company..."

THE RAINMAKER (PG-13) 

Reviewed November 26, 1997 - Check out the Rainmaker web site.

Look out, it's another John Grisham novel turned movie!

In The Rainmaker, Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) is a fresh-out-of-school Memphis attorney thrown into a $10 million case against Great Benefit Insurance Company.  Great Benefit's claims procedures require that all initial claims be denied--no exception.  However, when Donny Ray Black (Johnny Whitworth) is diagnosed with terminal leukemia, his parents file, and re-file, and re-file his claim, finally seeking the aid of the young Baylor.  The setup here is quite simple: young, inexperienced lawyer faces corrupt insurance company's powerful legal counsel (led seedily by Jon Voight).  With Great Benefit dragging its feet while Donny Ray Black steadily approaches death, the David-and-Goliath scenario is quickly developed, and the groundwork is laid for some intense courtroom drama. 

Given solid direction from Francis Ford Coppola and fine supporting performances by Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Danny Glover and Mickey Rourke (among others), you'd expect The Rainmaker to provide the dramatic and emotional impact typical of Grisham's work.  Unfortunately, this film never really delivers on that promise, and instead offers a less-than-sharp adaptation of Grisham's original work.  With scenes that are predictable from one moment to the next, and with generally uninspired courtroom antics, there isn't much in The Rainmaker that hasn't been done before.  The 'seedy lawyer' aspects of the plot were also somewhat overplayed, with Danny DeVito's ambulance chasing activities becoming distracting very early into the film's 2:15 runtime. 

Overall, The Rainmaker stands as a watchable if not particularly memorable film.  Don't expect greatness out of this movie, but do watch for some solid performances from its capable cast.

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

Eoakwell@BTInternet.com gives this movie  stars: "Great acting and a great film" (12/13/00)

ncs93um97@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "I rate the book 5 stars, but the movie only 2.5. The screenwriters left out too many important plot points and combined too many characters. Read the book." (12/4/99)

avalonjerryc@msn.com gives this movie  stars. (1/3/99)

rysher@mailcity.com gives this movie  stars: "John Grisham is absolutely a great master, in relation to courtroom thiller.Matt Damon is as good as Rudy Baylor in relation to their attitudes and lifestyle.The RAINMAKER is the best ever.Two thumbs up. A high-powered narration,I'm inviting you all to read the novel." (12/10/98)

flutegal31@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "The Rainmaker, is one of the best movies i have seen coming out of a John Grisham novel. The movie follows the key points in the book where most of his movies haven't. And that's hard to do.....Great movie. I have read all of his books, and this one is best as a movie, and a book...." (12/7/98)

watueng@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "Great movie, I watched it twice which is a rarity for me. I want to know why Danny Glovers name was not mentioned in the credits, not even his assistant." (12/4/98)

boggiano@prodigy.net gives this movie  stars: "Although I agree there were a few distractions in the movie, I apprecieated the use of the different plots within the story. I just rented the film from my video store and also wondered why Danny Glover had no mention in the credits. In fact I replayed the credits to see if I missed his name, but I guess I didn't." (11/10/98)

Amanda gives this movie  stars: "I thought the movie was excilent and i would watch it 24/7 if i could" (10/4/98)

cek@sprintmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Why was an actor of Danny Glover's stature not mentioned in the movie's credits? What an oversight!" (8/31/98)