Juror #2

Juror #2 , which may well be Clint Eastwood's last film as a director, is very good. We're not talking Unforgiven, Bronco Billy, Million Dollar Baby good, but it is properly good. Hard to tell you anything without spoiling it, but it's a great courtroom drama with a twist early on that takes it to a whole new place. You can relate to all the major characters, and even when they're doing not great things you can put yourself in your shoes and go I'd really struggle not to do that. Well worth a watch.

We don't have enough one and done dramas in the cinemas nowadays. This is exactly the kind of film we need more of. Very glad I saw it in the cinema.

While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, a family man finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer. Prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Colette) hopes to draw voters to her campaign for district attorney (DA) by highlighting her high-profile domestic violence conviction. A dissenting juror (Nicholas Hoult) in a murder trial slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it seemed in court presided by strict Judge Thelma Hollub (Amy Aquino) . As Juror #2 holds out with a verdict of not guilty, thus setting the stage for arguments and reasons why or why not the guy may be guilty . As he desperately seeks to convince his eleven peers (Leslie Bibb, Cedric Yarbrough, James Michael Sythe, Chikako Fukuyama, J. K. Simmons) to reconsider their conviction of a man (Gabriel Basso) framed of murdering . As 12 jurors are str uggling to decide the fate of a guy who allegedly killed his wife. Justice is blind !. Guilt sees everything !.

Middle-budget Clint Eastwood film about some jurors quick to condemn a man on trial for murdering his girlfiend before reviewing the evidence. Though the whole movie is mainly set in a courtroom and a jury room it never lacks for taut , suspense , intrigue and inspired direction . Eastwood, director of masterpieces such as Unforgiven, Mystic River or Million Dollar Baby, returns to his cinema of dark stories and ethical dilemmas in this closed-door courtroom thriller starring Nicholas Hoult (Skins), Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense, Hereditay) and J. K. Simmos (Whiplash). Here, Eastwood explores the differences between justice and truth, the complexity of ethics and impartiality.

The struggle behind closed doors is tense , charged and riveting. Jonathan Abrams's brilliant script was left virtually intact in its move to feature film. Courtroom drama too plenty of flaws, unlikely situations and unresolved ambiguities to be anywhere near the genre's best. However , being splendidly directed by Clint Eastwood with an extraordinary plethora of actors who give magnificent performances . The acting level of the cast during some of the intense discussions and debates almost bursts in the screen .

There's also a sensitive music by Mark Mancina. As well as as an evocative cinematography by Yves Bélanger, mainly shot in Savannah, where Eastwood previously filmed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) . Despite the small streaming ans TV release the film (releasing only in USA 50 theaters despite strong test results) is due in the US it is nonetheless getting a wide theatrical release in many other countries. The motion picture was well directed by Clint Eastwood and is expected to retire after this movie. This film along with the filmed in the 2000s as ¨Cry Macho¨, ¨The Mule¨, ¨American Sniper¨, ¨Invictus ¨ , ¨Gran Torino¨, " Changeling" , ¨ Million dollars baby¨ , ¨Mystic river ¨ make that the dramatic force of this great director turns outs to be impressive , despite being over ninety years old . Juror #2(2024). 6.5/10. A notable Eastwood film, which honors his alleged cinematic farewell.

I doubt that this case would ever have gone to trial. The only "witness" supposedly saw the suspect during a dark night, through heavy rain, from a couple of hundred feet away, right? If this case did make it to the courtroom, any halfway decent defense attorney would've knocked down the supposed validity of that witness without much trouble. There's nothing else to go on. The suspect followed her? How far? No one knows, which means that's of no value at all. If she was hit by a car, any autopsy would have shown this to have been the case, i.e. She was hit hard by a very large object... in other words, a vehicle, rather than a hand-held object. In summary, the direction, the actors and the production are all fine, but the whole film is a house built on a foundation that has no strength.

To be short, it's not a masterpiece, but finally, they shoot a normal movie, where people behave like normal logical human beings, not like crazy people, illogical, or in an absolutely unreal situation that you will never imagine. Here you will see just people who behave most likely how the majority of us do. I would most likely do the same as the main character, which I definitely ain't going to say about 99% of other movies nowadays. It's probably a bit old-fashioned movie by the latest standards, but it's still how normal life is going on. I was pleased to see that movie and would recommend watching it if you like a good plot story. The actors' play is also quite solid as well, and there's not any bad personage even though it's a court-criminal story. Besides, what I also like about this movie, is it's not just the black and white story. It's a bit more complicated, but somehow everything is positive and nice in the movie.

"Juror #2" is a movie that teases greatness but ultimately falls short due to its flawed execution. The premise is undeniably strong, offering a fresh take on the courtroom drama genre that immediately grabs attention. The story revolves around a juror torn between his duty to deliver justice and the burden of a personal secret that could change the case's outcome. It's the kind of setup that promises tension, moral dilemmas, and edge-of-your-seat storytelling. However, the film struggles to make the most of this potential.

Despite a talented cast delivering commendable performances, the script fails to provide the depth and nuance necessary to elevate the story. The characters, while well-acted, often come across as trapped in a plot that feels more concerned with sensational twists than meaningful development. The narrative choices veer into contrived territory, undermining the gravity of the film's premise. Instead of a thought-provoking exploration of justice and morality, we are given a story that leans too heavily on clichés and illogical decisions.

What's most disappointing is how close "Juror #2" comes to being great. With a sharper focus on its central themes and more thoughtful storytelling, it could have been a standout in its genre. Instead, it feels like a missed opportunity, one that leaves you wondering what could have been. The strong performances and intriguing premise deserve acknowledgment, but they aren't enough to save the movie from its poor execution. In the end, it's a serviceable but forgettable watch-a film that could have soared but instead settles for mediocrity.