The 1993 legal-political thriller The Pelican Brief, adapted from John Grisham's bestselling novel and starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, has been added to Netflix.
The plot begins when two US Supreme Court justices are murdered on the same evening. New Orleans law student Darby Shaw, played by Julia Roberts, launches her own investigation and assembles a speculative legal brief outlining a presidential and corporate conspiracy behind the killings. After she shares her findings, her law professor boyfriend is killed in a car bombing cover-up. Darby then teams up with Gray Grantham, an investigative journalist portrayed by Denzel Washington, to uncover the conspiracy.
From Bestseller to Blockbuster
The Pelican Brief was originally a 1992 bestselling book by John Grisham, later adapted by Alan J. Pakula into the 1993 film of the same name, which was his final project before his death in 1998. Alongside Roberts and Washington, the film features a supporting cast including 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, receiving mixed reviews from critics. The harshest critiques targeted its pacing, while praising the storyline and performances.
Critical Reception and Reviews
On Rotten Tomatoes, one reviewer 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 wrote: "Excellent adaptation of Grisham's novel that stays true to the storyline for the most part. Great performances by Roberts and Washington."
The cast drew particular acclaim, with one reviewer noting: "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." Another reviewer championed the film's tempo, calling it "a rich film, still relevant today and with a masterly pacing that is lacking in current films."
The Pelican Brief is now available to stream on Netflix.
