45/50
Kiefer’s father, Donald Sutherland, starred with Clint in Kelly’s Heroes (1970) and Svemirski cowboy (2000)
Story
Serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, the father of a family faces a serious moral dilemma that he could use to influence the jury’s verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer. Kiefer Sutherland got his share by writing to Clint Eastwood, telling him what a huge fan he is and that he’d like to star in one of his films before he retires.
To call it effective would be a serious understatement; there’s no easy way out
Not giving Juror #2 a wide theatrical release is yet another crime we can add to Warner Bros.’ prestige repertoire, because even at the age of 94, Clint Eastwood still has it. A gripping and utterly engrossing examination of Eastwood’s career-long infatuation with guilt, justice and the limitations of American law, turning the courtroom drama on its head with Jonathan Abrams’ fantastic script, the tension is at times simply unbearable.
While Toni Collette and JK
Eastwood’s taut and wonderful direction is in abundance here, and it’s all supported by Mark Mancina’s very engaging score, but it’s really the performances that kept me on edge throughout. Nicholas Hoult never overstates the anguish simmering beneath the surface, expressing his inner panic to the viewer but not to those around him.
Simmons deliver equally fantastic performances, although, to be honest, I’m a little put off by Kiefer Sutherland’s role being so limited
Like the gunslingers of his past, if “Juror #2” turns out to be Eastwood’s last film (as horrible as that thought is), then he has gone out in a triumphant blaze of glory.