A law student, a reporter, and a conspiracy to drill for oil in Louisiana.
In short: In the 1993 thriller The Pelican Brief, a Tulane law student uncovers a deadly plot linking the assassination of two Supreme Court justices to an oil tycoon. Starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, the film explores high-stakes corruption, environmental exploitation, and the dangerous pursuit of the truth in Washington, D.C.
Directed by Alan J. Pakula, The Pelican Brief is based on the 1992 novel by John Grisham. The narrative follows Darby Shaw, played by Julia Roberts, who writes a legal theory suggesting that oil tycoon Victor Mattiece ordered the murders of Supreme Court justices Jensen and Rosenberg. Her motive: the justices opposed drilling in a Louisiana marshland that serves as a habitat for an endangered brown pelican sub-species. As Darby goes into hiding, she teams up with Washington Herald reporter Gray Grantham, portrayed by Denzel Washington, to expose the conspiracy.
The production process was complex, involving a transfer of rights from Carolco Pictures to Warner Bros. after financial difficulties. Filming began in New Orleans on May 21, 1993, and moved to Washington, D.C. in June. The cast went to great lengths to prepare; Roberts attended law classes at Tulane, while Tony Goldwyn consulted with White House advisor George Stephanopoulos to portray the president's chief of staff. An additional, more upbeat ending was filmed in Montecito, California, on November 27, 1993, to extend the runtime.
Upon its release on December 17, 1993, the film received mixed reviews, holding a 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 50/100 score on Metacritic. Critics like Roger Ebert noted that while the film was engaging, it felt inferior to other Grisham adaptations. Despite the critical reception, the film was a commercial success, grossing $195 million worldwide against a $45 million budget. It remains a notable entry in the legal thriller genre, blending political intrigue with the star power of its two leads.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Pelican Brief (film)
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