The Firm

The good thing is that Tom Cruise can boast about his good acting performances since his early childhood. He may be, as a graduate of law school, a quite a rookie, but in the end, you actually believe his nerve-wracking performance. It isn’t really the best thriller I’ve ever seen but if you are in the mood for something from the 1990s and at the same time know movies by Sydney Pollack, you won’t be offended. Just prepare for a really long running time, which may annoy you at times. (11/10/2018)

It is a put together and quite old-fashioned (meaning slowly) woven story about a clever lawyer played by a relatively solid Tom Cruise at the beginning of his rich acting career. From a film perspective, The Firm offers quite a lot, its appealing plotline, although not as balanced as needed in terms of pace, provides a relatively solid dissection of the legal system and a whole range of related tricks. Moreover, it’s presented in a truly clear way for viewers who can confidently consider themselves lay in the sector. Unfortunately, this extensive and relatively long colossus is quite impersonal and lacks a substantial amount of any magic or personal sympathy. Sydney Pollack knows how to direct skillfully, but this time he forgot about the spark among those piles of papers. (03/12/2007)

After reading the book, I expected nothing but the best from The Firm, if only because I thought Tom Cruise was a perfect fit for the role of McDeere. Syndey Pollack disappointed me, though. He failed to give the film either the action or the suspense that kept me glued to the book, not to mention the many minor and major changes in the story. The ending of the adaptation was fatally rewritten compared to the book and completely changed its tone. It's nice to have so many actors who fit their roles in front of the camera at the same time, but what's the point when the film just draws from a solid source material and the rest takes its own path. (25/08/2014)

I unfortunately have not read the book, so I cannot join the usual reservations that the literary source material is significantly better, and I cannot identify with the frequent criticisms of Tom Cruise's acting. Although he is certainly not the best character actor of his generation, he also does not embarrass his profession and can successfully handle the role, which shows why he is the highest-paid male star in American cinema. The film has a solid screenplay without errors in logic, unrealistic action, and ridiculous conspiracies while being suspenseful and entertaining. In addition, in the final confrontation with the leaders of the mafia gang, the ending is clever and surprising. Although the film does not change the view of the genre in any way and is a classic thriller made by a major studio, I still highly appreciate it within its category. Overall impression: 85%. (18/06/2011)

With the honorable exception of Gene Hackman's (fantastic, as it happens) character, this is actually an unsurprising story that unfolds and turns out exactly as you expect. But it's all very well filmed and acted, and I certainly didn't find myself watching it for two and a half hours. (08/03/2020)