The Rainmaker . Newcity Chicago . 11-24-97

The Rainmaker

DIRECTED BY: Francis Coppola

REVIEWED: 11-24-97

Francis Coppola has been threatening the world -- and himself -- for a few years that he would return to his roots and make a personal, self-originated picture like "The Conversation," that his days as a gun-for-hire would soon be over. From the evidence of "The Rainmaker," it's time. While there's little anyone could do to rise above a John Grisham potboiler, Coppola (with the help of narration written by Michael Herr) works wonders with the limited material at hand. It's an astonishingly well-made piece of work, offering formal control in both script and visual style, a radiantly imagined Memphis (courtesy of John Toll, working without sunsets for the first time), inspired acting and even a sense of humor. You know the plot -- kid lawyer (Matt Damon) goes up against the world (an evil insurance company) and after a few twists, makes a magnificent court case of it all. The usual Grisham stuff. Coppola, however, elevates the material with all the substantial skills at his disposal, and the result is very, very impressive and entertaining in even its most foolish turns. Panavision.

--Ray Pride

Full Length Reviews
The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker

Capsule Reviews
The Rainmaker
The Rainmaker

Other Films by Francis Coppola
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Jack

Film Vault Suggested Links
The Gingerbread Man
Double Jeopardy
The Babysitter

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