The Pelican Brief

Movie

1993

2h 21m

PG-13

English

Thriller

User Score:

6.5

Critic Score:

Watch on Spectrum On Demand

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.

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The Pelican Brief

PG-13

Movie

1993

2h 21m

English

Thriller

Play Trailer

Watch on Spectrum On Demand

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.

WATCHMODE

6.5

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

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Cast

Darby Shaw

Gray Grantham

Thomas Callahan

Gavin Vereek

Fletcher Cole

FBI Director Denton Voyles

Bob Gminski

The President

Khamel

Justice Rosenberg

Smith Keen

Marty Velmano

Stump

Edwin Sneller

Matthew Barr

Alice Stark

Curtis Morgan / Garcia

Eric East

Rupert

Sarge

K.O. Lewis

Song and Dance Man from Bar

Richard Bauer

Managing Editor

Ralph Cosham

Justice Jensen

Tom Quinn

Sara Ann Morgan's Father

Directed By: Alan J. Pakula

Written By: Alan J. Pakula (Screenplay), John Grisham (Novel)

Featured Comments/Tips

FinFan says...

7 years ago

I enjoy those movies much more today because they focus on story and acting and not on CGI and SFX. Yes, the conspiracy at the base of this movie feels rather small considering what is happening in the world now. But keep in mind when this was written. Althought I must admit I was thinking about a certain President a lot while watching this now.

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simonynwa says...

11 years ago

The film is very much like many of Grisham's novels - intriguing setup, fun. yet forgettable middle act involving political/legal matters and a race to find the truth leading to a disappointing climax which usually just ends and rarely justifies the patient buildup and intrigue that had gone before. Pakula has done this before - indeed there are elements here that are very similar to the far better All the President's Men. It is still eminently watchable, especially once the film brings the two leads together to investigate, but with factual conspiracies far more shocking these days than what is shown here, the fiction is a little underwhelming in the end.

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Narate says...

11 months ago

>"Everyone I have told about the brief is dead." Grisham movies used to be an event. Denzel and Julia together on the screen during the rise of their fame? Sign me up. What surprises me more is Tucci as a bad guy! That being said, they could've sped a few things up as it feels a little long in the third act.

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Kitkatlover91 says...

5 years ago

Humm I'm not saying that this movie is bad or good but decent

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Featured User Reviews

isgraham

6/10 one year ago

Normally I would say this is a forgettable legal thriller but I have watched this numerous times over the years and, for reasons unknown to me, I keep coming back. Perhaps, like Vampire Diaries, it's just something I like despite it's flaws. Don't get me wrong, it's not as bad as Vampire Diaries. Bu More

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Wuchak

6 years ago

Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington team-up in this crime thriller

RELEASED IN 1993 and directed by Alan J. Pakula from John Grisham’s novel, "The Pelican Brief” is a political drama/thriller about a law student (Julia Roberts) who researches the murders of two supreme court justices and shar More

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