The 1993 legal thriller The Pelican Brief, starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, has just landed on Netflix. The film follows New Orleans law student Darby Shaw, played by Roberts, who investigates the murders of two US Supreme Court justices and uncovers a conspiracy involving the presidency and corporate interests.
After sharing her findings, Darby's law professor boyfriend is killed in a car bombing meant as a cover-up. She then teams up with investigative journalist Gray Grantham, portrayed by Washington, to expose the plot.
From Bestseller to Screen
The film is adapted from John Grisham's 1992 bestselling novel of the same name. Alan J. Pakula directed the adaptation, which was his final project before his death in 1998.
Alongside Roberts and Washington, the cast includes Stanley Tucci, Sam Shepard, John Heard, and Tony Goldwyn. The film grossed $195 million at the box office against a production budget of $45 million, drawing mixed reviews that praised the storyline and performances while some criticized its pacing.
Critical Reception
One Rotten Tomatoes critic described it as "very much a 90s movie, in a good way," adding that "it leans more on the acting than the mystery, which isn't too hard to figure out, but it's still really entertaining and easy to watch."
Another reviewer praised the performances: "Denzel Washington is great as always, and Julia Roberts does a solid job too. The whole cast delivers. If you like classic 90s thrillers, this is a good one."
Some reviewers celebrated the film's pacing, with one writing: "This is a rich film, still relevant today and with a masterly pacing that is lacking in current films." Another called it an "Excellent adaptation of Grisham's novel that stays true to the storyline for the most part. Great performances by Roberts and Washington."
The Pelican Brief is currently available to stream on Netflix.
