The Client (1994 film)

The Client
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Joel Schumacher
Produced by	Arnon Milchan Steven Reuther
Screenplay by	Akiva Goldsman Robert Getchell
Based on	The Client  by John Grisham
Starring	Susan Sarandon Tommy Lee Jones
Music by	Howard Shore
Cinematography	Tony Pierce-Roberts
Editing by	Robert Brown
Studio	Regency Enterprises Alcor Films
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	July 20, 1994 (1994-07-20)
Running time	119 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$45 million
Box office	$117,615,211

The Client is a 1994 American legal thriller film directed by Joel Schumacher, and starring Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, and Brad Renfro. It is based on the novel of the same name by John Grisham. The film was released in the United States on July 20, 1994.

Plot

Mark Sway and his little brother, Ricky, are sneaking cigarettes in the forest near their home when they witness the suicide of mob lawyer Jerome Clifford. Prior to his suicide, Clifford reveals to Mark that he is killing himself to avoid being murdered by Barry "The Blade" Muldanno, the nephew of notorious mob kingpin "Uncle Johnny Sulari". As a result of witnessing the suicide, Ricky goes in to shock and is hospitalized. It soon becomes apparent to authorities - and the mob - that Clifford may have revealed to Mark the location of the body of a Louisiana senator believed to have been murdered by Muldanno.

Mark seeks out a lawyer, and finds Reggie Love (Susan Sarandon), a recovering alcoholic who agrees to defend him in court. They quickly run afoul of Roy Foltrigg (Tommy Lee Jones), a celebrated and vain U.S. Attorney, who is attempting to solve the case as a springboard to greater ambitions. In the mean time, it is revealed that Sulari never authorized Muldanno to make the hit on the senator, and is requiring Muldanno to try and figure out how much the kids may know about the location of the body. Muldanno is also required to move the body, but isn't able to immediately because he had buried it in Clifford's boathouse, and the cops are still on the property investigating his suicide.

As all parties become increasingly desperate, Foltrigg tries to go to continued legal lengths to get the location of the body through Mark's testimony, while Sulari eventually orders Muldanno to kill the children and their lawyer to avoid any further screw-ups in trying to deal with the case. He also orders the body moved, now that the investigation at Clifford's home is over.

Mark and Reggie go to New Orleans to confirm that the body is still where he was told it is, knowing that it is their only bargaining chip to get Ricky the help he needs, and to place the family in protective custody. They arrive the same night as Muldanno and his fellow mafia goons, who begin digging up the body but who are stopped by Mark and Reggie. In the melee that follows, the mafia goons flee when the neighbor's alarm is tripped and the authorities are summoned.

Knowing that the body is there, Reggie is able to use the information as a bargaining chip to get the family the full slate of protective custody and medical help for Ricky, as well as a new home and job for the children's mother. Mark and Reggie share a heartfelt goodbye; both of them admit to loving each other. Although not explicitly stated, it becomes apparent that Sulari has had enough of Muldanno and is going to have his nephew killed. With the body recovered, Foltrigg is a lock-in for the newspaper headlines he craves, and makes mention that he intends to run for governor.

Cast

• Susan Sarandon as Regina "Reggie" Love
• Tommy Lee Jones as "Reverend" Roy Foltrigg
• Brad Renfro as Mark Sway
• Mary-Louise Parker as Dianne Sway
• David Speck as Ricky Sway
• Anthony LaPaglia as Barry "The Blade" Muldanno
• J. T. Walsh as Jason McThune
• Anthony Heald as Larry Trumann
• Bradley Whitford as Thomas Fink
• Anthony Edwards as Clint Von Hooser
• Micole Mercurio as Momma Love
• Ossie Davis as Judge Harry Roosevelt
• Will Patton as Sergeant Hardy
• Dan Castellaneta as Slick Moeller
• Ron Dean as Uncle Johnny Sulari
• Kim Coates as Paul Gronke
• William H. Macy as Dr. Greenway
• Kimberly Scott as Doreen
• Walter Olkewicz as Jerome "Romey" Clifford

Box office performance

The film was a financial success, earning $92,115,211 domestically and an additional $25,500,000 overseas.

Critical reception

The film received generally positive reviews.^{[citation needed]}. It currently holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Awards

For her work in the film, Sarandon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Adaptations

Main article: The Client (TV series)

The film spawned a TV series of the same name, starring JoBeth Williams and John Heard. However, the show lasted only one season (1995–1996).

See also

• Trial movies

External links

• The Client at the Internet Movie Database
• The Client at AllRovi