A star-studded courtroom thriller from none other than legendary director, Clint Eastwood…
Words: Saskia Foran
Set to potentially be the last film directed by the 94-year-old, Juror #2 has the dark, moody and atmospheric trifecta expected from a Clint Eastwood thriller. Casting friendly-faced Nicholas Hoult in the starring role as Justin Kemp, your everyday family man who is caught in an impossible moral dilemma, it’s hard to deny the relatability of Justin’s predicament: a choice between self-preservation and doing the right thing.
Juror #2 follows soon-to-be first-time-dad Justin when he is called for jury service during his wife’s third trimester - a high-risk pregnancy after a previous loss. As the court case develops, Justin realises that the man on trial may not be guilty after all, and that he himself might hold the key to information which could alter the outcome of the entire case.
Caught between doing the right thing, risking his new family’s peace and convincing the rest of the jurors to reach a unanimous vote as soon as possible, Justin’s guilty conscience and morality is tested repeatedly.
Juror #2 has the dark, moody and atmospheric trifecta expected from a Clint Eastwood thriller
Alongside Nicholas Hoult, Juror #2 sports an incredibly acclaimed cast: Toni Collette, Chris Messina, Cedric Yarborough, J.K Simmons and Kiefer Sutherland. Great casting, combined with the use of flashbacks, helps the story to unfold and simultaneously piece itself together as it progresses. Unlike films where flashbacks are used to bolster a weak storyline, here they only seem to enhance the tense and foreboding developments of the court case and the increased sense of anxiety when Justin’s secret feels close to being exposed.
One relationship that brings Justin scarily close to exposure is that of fellow juror, ex-detective Harold (J.K. Simmons), who takes it upon himself to investigate the case outside of the courtroom. Seeming to trust Justin, Harold enlists his help to bring, he hopes, the right man to justice. Yet they are forbidden by the work of a jury, so Justin chooses to protect himself and gets Harold thrown off the case.
...a choice between self-preservation and doing the right thing...
The inter-character relationships in this film powerfully highlight the struggle between right and wrong; the selfish reasons some choose secrets over honesty. Harold’s right-over-wrong nature sees him thrown off the case, and prompts Justin to work harder to cover his tracks. This contrasts with Toni Collette’s portrayal of the lawyer convicting the accused whilst running for District Attorney - is fighting for true justice or advancing her career? Toni Collette’s character development from hard-faced lawyer set on the outcome she wants to a softer character, wanting the truth to prevail, whether this fits her agenda or not, climaxes in the film’s final scene.
If you need a film to have a clear and satisfying ending you will be left incredibly frustrated…Having said that - Juror #2 is a great example of a well-written and expertly directed court-case thriller, keeps you guessing until the last moment and well worth the watch.
The Juror #2 is playing at the Savoy Nottingham.
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