The Firm

I hate it when a series doesn't bother to tie up loose ends. They built up all this mystery around the last case, then don't bother to finish it! Otherwise, the series is mostly very edge-of-your-seat entertaining, with interesting characters.

Review

We thoroughly enjoyed watching all 22 episodes. While we wish there had been a second season, there was some sense of conclusion at the end-it wasn't the 'cliffhanger' i feared having consulted imdb. I found all of the actors good. Of course there is some degree of poetic licence taken with realism, but easily overlooked as you care for the characters and their search to set things right. Overall, very enjoyable. The weak point is the overuse of the flasbacks and flashforwards, the scenes labelled 'two weeks earlier/later', but you get used to it. The fact that most reviewers have expressed dismay at there not being a full conclusion is proof of how engaging the storylines and characters are. Well worth the watch.

I don't remember much about the film "The Firm," and I didn't read the book. This TV series takes up where the film and book left off, with Mitch McDeere (Josh Lucas) deciding to opt out of witness protection after the mobster who wanted him dead dies himself. He and his family, Abby (Molly Parker), their daughter Claire (Natasha Calis), his brother Ray (Callum Keith Rennie), a detective, and Ray's girlfriend Tammy (Juliette Lewis) come home. Mitch opens a private practice, but soon joins forces with a large law firm when he gets a case that could turn into a class action suit.

There's lots going on in this show -- it's told in flashback, and we're shown some very intriguing flash forwards that the story is leading up to. One of Mitch's assigned cases is of a young woman accused of killing a wealthy old lady she had just met; the large firm has some sort of interest in this case, but as yet, we don't know why. And while the mobster is dead, his son has just taken over. Will he want a contract put out on Mitch and his family? We don't know at the time of this writing. And other cases come and go. Plus stuff happening on the family front.

Josh Lucas is very strong as Mitch, and I absolutely love Molly Parker as his wife - a wonderful, graceful presence. Juliette Lewis, as Ray's sexy girlfriend who doesn't look much like a receptionist, is great, as is Rennie as Ray.

I keep reading this show is going to be canceled. Gee, I hope we get to see the whole season.

Have watched THE FIRM since it started. The "wet-behind-the-ears" Tom Cruise has returned 10 years later as the mature Josh Lucas in the Mitch McDeere role -- and that's a huge improvement. Lucas carries the show, and is a terrific (albeit hugely idealistic) lead. The brother Ray has caught fire as his best ally in the past 2-3 shows, after a modest start.

I suppose the two biggest reasons I like this show are (1) it's a combination of Perry Mason & The Fugitive, and (2) Tricia Helfer is the most venomous female lead since Jane Badler in "V". She snarls when talking about people behind their backs (all of whom are beneath her), then turns on the charm when they drop into her penthouse office.

There are instances in several episodes where the story lags, but then there's an action scene just around the corner to perk you up. Also, each episode includes a weekly case that must be started and decided within about 38-40 minutes of airtime -- not easy to pull off. The rest of the hour is spent on advancing the overall plot line. But despite this observation, it's still a damn good show -- so I'm in for the duration.

UPDATE -- so now it's nearly three months later in the saga ... NBC has jacked us around by switching it to Saturday nites, then pre-empting it in a heartbeat. But I'm still t'round, and a loyal fan. I have caught the headlines about the upcoming "cancellation" -- but that's something I'm not buying since we're now only 4-5 shows short of the 22 episodes that were originally shot. I suspect with episode 22 will come the resolution of the whole yarn, and I'm good with that. Josh Lucas is still firmly in control as the lead, and does a damn good job. The characters of Ray, Tammy, and Abby have defined themselves as the weeks have gone by. Two weeks ago, after a surprise suicide, I was trying to figure out where they would head next to keep me riveted, but the storywriters have now brought the long smoldering MOB out of the bullpen, and back into the picture, as well as this surprisingly strange behavioral twist in Mrs. McDeere. I think both of these plots will play out nicely in the next month, and THE FIRM will run its course. Again, I think it is entertaining, dynamic, and just feverish enough in its pacing to outrun our chance to say "now wait a minute" when something doesn't ring 100& true. It is a lot like the vastly underrated film "The Parallax View", where Director Alan Pakula gave us a roller-coaster of (somewhat) plausible plot twists, and never let us catch our breath to protest. So the critique here is unwavering -- I've been in the flow for 18+ weeks, I'm good to go for the final 4. I happen to like this show ... and Josh Lucas is THE MAN... !

We're in a pandemic.....we're isolated with our tv's.....and we look for something good.....great if we're lucky......and I found one....this one.... I loved it!

This was a perfect series.....it had a great plot, great acting/cast and a perfect cliff hanger!! Why was this show cut? It deserves to be back!