Presumed Innocent (film)

Presumed Innocentis a 1990 Americanlegal thrillerfilm based on the1987 novel of the same namebyScott Turow. Directed byAlan J. Pakula, and written by Pakula andFrank Pierson, it starsHarrison Ford,Brian Dennehy,Raúl Juliá,Bonnie Bedelia,Paul WinfieldandGreta Scacchi. The film follows Rusty Sabich (Ford), a prosecutor who is charged with the murder of his colleague andmistressCarolyn Polhemus (Scacchi).
Several studios and producers fought to secure the film rights one year before the novel was published. ProducersSydney PollackandMark Rosenbergacquired the rights in December 1986 and hired Pierson to write the script. After an unsuccessful pre-production development atUnited Artists, the project moved toWarner Bros., and Pakula was brought in to rewrite the script with Pierson before signing on as the film's director in January 1989.Principal photographycommenced in July 1989 and concluded in October of that year, with a budget of $20 million. Filming took place on locations inDetroit,Windsor, Ontario, andNew Jersey, and on soundstages atKaufman Astoria StudiosinNew York.
Presumed Innocentpremiered at theFox Bruin TheaterinLos Angeles,California, on July 25, 1990, before being released across North America on July 27, 1990. The film has an approval rating of 86% onRotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its directing, acting, and writing. It grossed $221 million worldwide and became theeighth-highest-grossing film of 1990. The film was followed by a television miniseries,The Burden of Proof, in 1992, and a television film sequel,Innocent, in 2011.
Rozat "Rusty" Sabich is a prosecutor and the right-hand man of district attorney Raymond Horgan. When his colleague Carolyn Polhemus is found raped and murdered in her apartment, Raymond insists that Rusty take charge of the investigation. With the election for District Attorney approaching, Tommy Molto, the acting head of the homicide division, has left to join the rival campaign of Nico Della Guardia. Rusty, a married man, faces a conflict of interest since he had a brief sexual affair with Carolyn. Rusty has since reconciled with his wife Barbara but is still obsessed with Carolyn.
Detective Harold Greer is initially in charge of the murder investigation, but Rusty has him replaced with his friend Detective Dan Lipranzer, whom he persuades to narrow the inquiry so that his relationship with Carolyn is left out. Raymond grows furious with Rusty's handling of the case, but admits that he had also been romantically involved with Carolyn at one time. Rusty soon discovers that Molto is making his own inquiries. When Della Guardia wins the election, he and Molto accuse Rusty of the murder and push to get evidence against him. Lipranzer is removed from the case, and Greer's inquiries uncover the affair.
Rusty hires Sandy Stern, a top defense attorney. At trial, it is revealed that an important piece of evidence, a beer glass with Rusty’s fingerprints, is missing. Raymond testifies and perjures himself, claiming that Rusty insisted on handling the investigation. Rusty discovers that Carolyn had acquired a file for a bribery case involving a man named Leon Wells. Upon being confronted by Rusty and Lipranzer, Wells confesses that he paid Judge Lyttle $1,500 to have criminal charges against him dropped, with Carolyn acting as a facilitator.
The thrust of Stern's defense is that Della Guardia and Molto have framed Rusty. During the cross-examination of the coroner, it is revealed that Carolyn underwent atubal ligation, thus having no reason to use the spermicidal contraceptive which was found on her. Stern asserts that the only explanation for this discrepancy is that the fluid sample was not actually taken from Carolyn's body. Based on the disappearance of the beer glass, the lack of motive, and the fact that the fluid sample was rendered meaningless, Judge Lyttle dismisses the charges. Rusty confronts Stern for bringing up the bribery file in the case. Stern reveals that Lyttle had a brief sexual encounter with Carolyn and that he and Raymond knew that Lyttle was taking bribes, and although Lyttle had offered his resignation, Raymond felt that he was a brilliant judge and deserved another chance. Lipranzer meets with Rusty and reveals the missing beer glass, explaining that he never returned it to evidence when the investigation was turned over to Della Guardia and Molto. Rusty throws it into a river.
Shortly after, at home, Rusty discovers a small hatchet with blood and hair on it. Barbara admits that she murdered Carolyn because of the affair. She expresses that she had left enough evidence for Rusty to know that she committed the crime but did not anticipate him being charged. In a voice-over, Rusty explains that Carolyn's murder remains unsolved as trying two people for the same crime is "a practical impossibility" and he could never take the mother away from his son even if it were possible to prosecute her. Rusty states that there is a culprit and a punishment in this case, meaning he feels guilty because his actions led to Carolyn's death.
Scott Turow's 1987 novelPresumed Innocenthad first attracted film producers a year before it was published. Thefilm rightswere the subject of a bidding war among a host of established studios and producers.David BrownandRichard D. Zanuckmade the first bid of $75,000.Don SimpsonandJerry Bruckheimerinitially offered $300,000, financed byParamount Pictures, but backed down when bids climbed to $750,000.Peter GuberandJon Peters,andSydney PollackandMark Rosenbergof Mirage Enterprises made $1 million bids of their own money.Metro-Goldwyn-MayerandIrwin Winkleralso made bids, whileUniversal Picturespassed on the project.After Pollack and Rosenberg acquired the rights in December 1986,United Artistsnegotiated with the producers to finance and distribute the film. In May 1987, Pollack hiredFrank Piersonto write the script. Shortly after, United Artists backed out as a distributor.Roger Birnbaum, head of worldwide production for United Artists, claimed that the studio found the project "just too expensive".In July 1988, the project moved toWarner Bros.
Pollack and Rosenberg sent the script toAlan J. Pakula,who felt that it needed improvement and spent a year rewriting it with Pierson.Regarding the screenwriting process, Turow said, "There were three large narrative problems to solve. Point of view; getting around the first person narrative; time sequence; it's all flashback and Hollywood doesn't like that; and then just an awful lot of plot."Pierson originally envisioned the film adaptation as being "a movie full of sex and blood".Pakula felt that the concept of justice was more central to the story. He also wanted to present the film in a visual style that echoed the novel's narrative.In making various changes from the novel, Pakula and Pierson added new dialogue and rewrote the ending.Pakula signed on to direct the film in January 1989.
Several established actors were considered for the leading role of Rusty Sabich.Kevin Costnerturned down the role, andRobert Redfordwas vetoed by Pollack due to his age.When he was hired to direct the film, Pakula only offered the role toHarrison Ford,believing that the actor possessed an "Everymanquality" that best suited the character.Ford's casting was confirmed in March 1989.He received a $7 million salary for the role.Turow was initially uncertain of Ford portraying Rusty but relented after seeing a few of the actor's films.Ford said, "Friends warned me this was a tough role because Rusty is such a passive, interior character. Though Rusty's in every scene, all the action takes place around him. Things happen to him."Upon being cast, Ford read the novel to avoid arguments over events and details that were left out in the book.Ford also suggested to Pakula that Rusty have abuzz cut. He explained, "There are many things I found I could express with that short haircut. Simplest of all, I wanted to tell the audience to leave their baggage at home — not to expect the Harrison Ford they've seen before."
In preparing for their roles, the actors were granted access to lawyers who would act as advisors.Ford observed murder trials with Pakula at the Recorder's Court in Detroit and viewed training footage from the Michigan Prosecutors' Association.Greta Scacchi, who plays Carolyn Polhemus, observedLinda Fairstein, head of theManhattan District Attorney's sex crimes unit.Raúl Juliá, who plays Sandy Stern, researched his role by meeting with criminal lawyer Michael Kennedy.Paul Winfieldlobbied for the role of Judge Larren Lyttle upon reading the novel and learning that the adaptation was to be directed by Pakula.Winfield met withNew York Supreme CourtjudgeBruce M. Wright, who insisted that he wear a judiciary robe and observe several cases.
This is the first film role forJeffrey WrightandJoseph Mazzello.
Pakula spent three weeks rehearsing with the actors before principal photography commenced on July 31, 1989,with a budget of $20 million.Filming began in Detroit, where the production first filmed exterior scenes. Locations included theRenaissance Center's Westin Hotel,Philip A. Hart Plaza, the Woodbridge Tavern,Eastern Market, Jackie's Bar and Restaurant,St. Aubin Marina, and the International Plaza garage rooftop. On August 3, 1989, the production moved toReaume ParkinWindsor, Ontariofor a 13-hour shoot.After filming in Detroit ended on August 9, 1989, the production moved toKaufman Astoria StudiosinQueens. The filmmakers constructed a courtroom modeled after one in Cleveland, Ohio, that was unavailable for filming.The production then moved toNewark, New Jersey. For two days, theNorth Reformed Churchwas used to depict the funeral of Carolyn Polhemus. From August 14 to August 15, the filmmakers shot scenes atNewark City Hall. TheEssex County Veterans Courthousewas used for a brief courtroom sequence, and Newark's city morgue was used to depict the medical office of Dr. Kumagai. A housing project scheduled for demolition was used for a scene depicting Rusty and Detective Lipranzer's interrogation of a suspect.
In late August, the crew relocated toAllendale, New Jersey. A suburban house on East Orchard Street was used to film exterior and interior scenes set in the Sabich family home. The house's cellar was used to film a scene involving Rusty and his wife.The cast and crew then returned to Kaufman Astoria Studios to film the trial scenes.Principal photography concluded on October 24, 1989.
Presumed Innocentheld its world premiere at theFox Bruin TheaterinLos Angeles,California, on July 25, 1990, with an afterparty held atChasen'srestaurant.The film was released on July 27, 1990, distributed by Warner Bros.A soundtrack album featuring thescorebyJohn Williamswas released by the record labelVarèse Sarabandeon August 7, 1990.
Released to a total of 1,349 theaters in the United States and Canada, the film grossed $11,718,981 on its first weekend, securing the number one position at the box office.The film earned an additional $10,176,663—only a 13.2% overall decrease from the previous weekend—and moved to second place behindGhost.In its third weekend, the film grossed an additional $7,901,866, for an overall domestic gross of $42,012,238. It grossed an additional $6,101,374 on its fourth weekend. The film returned to fourth place on its fifth week, grossing an additional $4,646,004, and returned to third place for the following two weeks.
Presumed Innocentgrossed $86,303,188 during its North American theatrical run. Coupled with its international take of $135 million, it accumulated $221,303,188 in worldwide box office totals.In North America, it was the twelfth highest-grossing film of 1990,and the fourth highest-grossingR-ratedfilm released that year.Worldwide, it was theeighth highest-grossing film of 1990,as well as Warner Bros.' highest-grossing film that year.
The film was released onVHSandLaserDiscon March 27, 1991, byWarner Home Video.It was released onDVDon December 17, 1997.On February 23, 2010, the film was released onBlu-rayas a "Thriller Double Feature" alongsideFrantic(1988).
Thereview aggregationwebsiteRotten Tomatoesgives the film an approval rating of 86% based on 56 reviews, with an average rating of 7.30/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Thanks to an outstanding script, focused direction by Alan Pakula, and a riveting performance from Harrison Ford,Presumed Innocentis the kind of effective courtroom thriller most others aspire to be."OnMetacriticit has a score of 72% based on reviews from 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.
Warner Bros. requested inpress releasesthat critics not discuss the film's ending.Jay Boyar of theOrlando Sentinelsurmised, "It's not that Warner Bros. is actually concerned that reviewers will tip the solution to the murder mystery. It's that the studio wants to further the impression that the movie is full of surprises."Richard SchickelofTimemagazine disregarded the request and revealed Rusty's innocence in his review. He wrote, "Carolyn's murderer has an excellent motive both for killing her ... But it is hard to accept the possibility that the real perpetrator would leave his escape from the trap entirely to chance."Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesstated, "Even if you think you know what the solution is, the performances are so clever and the screenplay ... is so subtle that it could well turn out that your expectations are wrong."
Sheila Benson, writing for theLos Angeles Times, stated, "Intelligent, complex and enthralling,Presumed Innocent... is one of those rare films where all the players seem to be in a state of grace, where the working of the machinery never shows and after it's over, one runs and reruns its intricacies with a profound sense of satisfaction."Peter Travers, writing forRolling Stone, called the film "a smart, passionate, steadily engrossing thriller".Janet MaslinofThe New York Timespraised Pakula's direction, writing, "Pakula has directed an intense, enveloping, gratifyingly thorough screen adaptation of Mr. Turow's story."Film criticJonathan Rosenbaumwrote that film was "a top-notch courtroom drama that will keep you guessing if you haven't read the book; even if you have, it is still a very well crafted story."Varietymagazine praised the performances, writing, "Ford, in a very mature, subtle, lowkey performance, pulls off the difficult feat of making it impossible to be sure. Bedelia is wondrously controlled, and Scacchi, sans any hint of a European accent, is convincing and seductive."Gene Siskelof theChicago Tribunepraised the supporting cast, writing, "Raul Julia is excellent as Ford's sinister defense attorney.John Spencer,Joe Grifasi,Tom MardirosianandSab Shimonoare each compelling as investigator, political lackey, prosecutor and coroner."
Owen Gleiberman, writing forEntertainment Weekly, criticized Pakula's direction, stating, "Pakula is good at laying out an intricate, almost mathematical series of events (his best film remainsAll the President's Men), but he's not big on atmosphere. The movie could have used some of the bowels-of-the-city gritSidney Lumetbrought toQ&A."Dave Kehr, also writing for theChicago Tribune, stated, "Though it's a handsome film, carefully staged and courageously low-key, the transition to the screen only exaggerates the disposable nature of the material while depriving it of the novel's one stylistic strength, its unreliable narrator."
Presumed Innocentreceived several nominations, with particular recognition for its screenplay by Alan J. Pakula and Frank Pierson. The film received anEdgar Allan Poe Awardnomination for Best Motion Picture,and aUSC Scripter Awardnomination for Pakula, Pierson and the novel by Turow.
Presumed Innocentwas followed by a two-part television miniseries,The Burden of Proof(1992). Based on Turow's1990 novel, the miniseries focuses on defense attorney Sandy Stern (played byHéctor Elizondo), who investigates his wife's past following her apparent suicide.Presumed Innocentco-star Brian Dennehy appeared in a separate role as Stern's brother-in-law.The first chapter of the miniseries aired on theABCnetwork on February 9, 1992, with the second part airing the following night on February 10.
A television sequel,Innocent(2011), was based on Turow's 2010 sequel novel toPresumed Innocent. Set twenty years after the events of the 1990 film, the story follows Rusty Sabich (Bill Pullman), who is charged with the murder of his wife Barbara (Marcia Gay Harden).Innocentaired onTNTon November 30, 2011, as part of the network's "Mystery Movie Night", a collection of six made-for-television films based on best-selling novels.
Apple TV+produced an eight-part miniseries based on the film, starringJake Gyllenhaalas Rusty Sabich.The miniseries debuted on June 12, 2024.