'Presumed Innocent': Jake Gyllenhaal dons a courtroom drama in a gripping style
With flamboyant characters and heated scenarios, writer David E. Kelley, who's had a long career in creating legal dramas from "L.A. Law," teams up with producer J.J. Abrams for this adaptation of Scott Turow's book. This series uses the eight-episode format to take a longer time (a bit too long, if you ask me) before diving into court proceedings.
Mostly, this allows for a deeper understanding of Rusty Sabich's (Gyllenhaal, now in a lighter zone after "Road House") family dynamics. But things take a turn when he's accused of murdering colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve), who he was having an affair with and confesses to being obsessed with.
Rusty's wife, Barbara (Ruth Negga), doesn't think he's guilty but the case brings his infidelity into public view and forces her to confront it, with multiple flashbacks of their steamy affairs to emphasize this.
Everyone else seems to be following scripted prompts that say "GO BIG". This includes Negga as the hurt wife, Gyllenhaal's brother-in-law Peter Sarsgaard as prosecutor Tommy Molto, eager to convict Rusty, and Bill Camp as Raymond Horgan, the former boss who agrees to defend him.
Interestingly, this tonal issue also applies to Kelley's recent adaptation of another novel, "A Man in Full," which dampens the talent of the cast.
"Presumed Innocent" is still watchable despite, or maybe because of, its extravagance. Apple has released seven out of the eight episodes, so the ending's treatment is yet to be seen, although it's safe to assume some license was taken in the leadup.
"This is crazy," Rusty's teenage daughter exclaims as suspicion falls on her father. This comment could be seen as both a legal opinion, considering the trial's context, and a clever TV review.
"Presumed Innocent" has its moments, but when it comes to convincing viewers to invest their time in eight episodes, Kelley, Gyllenhaal, and the rest of the team haven't constructed a definitive case.
"Presumed Innocent" debuts on June 12 on Apple TV+.
2023-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
Category:
Entertainment
Subcategory:
Movies
Authors:
Glenn Dyer
Header:
'Presumed Innocent' Review: David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams' Take on the Mystery Novel
Summary:
Writer David E. Kelley and producer J.J. Abrams have adapted Scott Turow's book "Presumed Innocent" into a series, with an eight-episode format that allows for deeper character development. However, the show's excessive characterizations may neutralize the impressive cast.
Eleven:
- Gyllenhaal's less sympathetic take on Rusty Sabich
- Ruth Negga's wounded wife
- Peter Sarsgaard's eager prosecutor, Tommy Molto
- Bill Camp's agreeing to defend Horgan
- The tendency to overact in some roles
Read also:
The series provides a plethora of entertaining moments with its flamboyant characters and heated scenarios, making it a prime example of captivating courtroom entertainment. Despite the length of the series, it offers a deeper exploration of Rusty Sabich's family dynamics, keeping viewers hooked.
