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High Crimes

Movie High Crimes Director Carl Franklin Producer Jesse Beaton Cinematographer Theo Van De Sande Cast Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Jim Caviezel

By Ad-Lib Rating : * * * Ashley Judd makes her comeback, with what now increasingly looks like a permanently depressed Jim Caviezel in High Crimes. It is a gripping drama that reminds one of A Few Good Men and the TV series JAG. The USP of this movie has to be the on-screen partnership of Morgan Freeman and Judd. Civilian attorney Claire Kubik (Judd) and Tom (Caviezel) are happily married and are planning for a new addition to their family when their idyllic existence is ruined by Tom’s sudden arrest. Claire later finds out that he is being charged with the murder of civilians in El Salvador and that he could face the death penalty but to her shock she finds that his real name is Ron Chapman, a former special operations marine. Convinced that Lieutenant Terrence Embry (Adam Scott), hired as Tom’s lawyer, is not good enough, she hires an ex-military lawyer with a grudge against the military, Charlie Grimes (Morgan Freeman). The trial then begins and they almost manage to win the case after they secretly record one of the prosecuting witness’ statements against his own testimony but the judge throws out the evidence and they try to appeal. After several close calls with death, they find more leads and eventually convince the highly decorated Brigadier General (Bruce Davison) to drop the case or risk public humiliation in light of what they have found. Tom is free to go but then Charlie makes a startling discovery that could endanger Claire’s life. The plot of the movie is without doubt, flawless. Every detail has been seen to and the trial itself is not the highlight but rather the legwork of Claire and Charlie. Caviezel is very wooden and somehow can’t wipe off sad expressions from his face; his role is minimal however, and comes alive only to the end. Other characters do their job and disappear without boring the viewer. The message that gets through is that in the name National Security a lot of crimes are committed and innocent lives are lost. A truly disturbing thought well highlighted in High Crimes. A movie for mature minds of all ages, High Crimes is a must see.