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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
The Firm
the one line review:
Book conversion goes sour
the overview
Most people are aware of how most book to film conversions don't work out so well. OK recently there have been some good ones, Lord of the Rings for example. But The Firm, by John Grisham, is one of the best books I've ever read - it's gripping, it's suspense filled and full of all the ingredients you expect in a good read.
The conversion however, ain't so hot.
the plot:
Mitch McDeere (Cruise) is a hotshot lawyer, who has just graduated with honours. He's looking for a job with a big law firm in the city when all of a sudden he is approached by a small law firm in [Michigan I think] who are offering to pay more than any of the other firms plus benefits, he is persuaded to join.
There is a very strong work ethic at the practice. Everyone works hard, 12-14 hours a day, but they are well rewarded for their hard work.
But all is not what it seems. When people start dying and client files start to go missing, as well as the feeling of being watched.. Mitch begins to get suspicious. When his fears are confirmed by the FBI, Mitch finds himself horribly embroiled in a sinister and very nasty law firm.
It's a race to the end to see if Mitch can clear his name as well as stopping the firm from killing him and his family and all sorts of other high octane stuff.
the verdict:
It's a shame. The book really is good. The film is good too - Cruise, plays the main character well, but for whatever reason, that suspense is just lacking. Grisham has a tendency to end every chapter in the book with a cliffhanger - well he certainly does it in this book. That is somehow lost in the film.
It's an enjoyable action flick though - worth it if you're down at BBuster's and it's a freebie if you rent a full price one.
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