47/24
The final film of the 2024 AFI Film Festival
Synopsis
While serving as a juror on a high-profile murder trial, family man Justin Kemp finds himself grappling with a serious moral dilemma…one he can use to sway the jury’s verdict and convict or acquit the wrongful killer. Kiefer Sutherland got his part by writing to Clint Eastwood telling him he was a fan and wanted to be in one of his movies before he retired.
Tony Collette as the prosecutor running for district attorney, JK
Nicholas Hoult stars as the titular character, who is forced into a moral dilemma when he is selected to serve on a jury for murder. Story "12 Angry Men" Of that I can’t say much without creating spoilers.
and many others
as Holt’s colleague on the jury. Hoult’s performance is adequate, along with the rest of the stellar cast, including Simmons and Gabriel Basso as the defendant.
The story and screenplay are laced with a few surprises, though not the inevitable conclusion
Eastwood’s direction is solid as usual but not exceptional; However, given the limitations of the story, I’d say it’s better. So, in summary, this movie is a 7/10, certainly not a 10/10 but not a 4/10 either (I reserve ratings of 4 and below for technically incompetent movies).