John Grisham's The Rainmaker

Critics fell over one another in their rush to proclaim The Return of Coppola, but the only distinction the latest John Grisham adaptation has to offer is that it's somehow even dumber than its predecessors. (Maybe it just looks good by comparison to Coppola's previous opus, Jack--didn't see it, wouldn't know.) Okay, so Matt Damon's playing a nervous, inexperienced lawyer trying his first case in high-pressure circumstances--but is there any attorney on earth who's managed to pass the bar exam without stumbling across the notion of a "leading question"? Or who's so anxious in court that he asks three in a row, even after opposing counsel objects to the first two? Who needs the judge to explain to him how he might rephrase the question so that it isn't objectionable? Is this a serious drama or is it My Cousin Vinny? A few of the supporting actors make a strong impression--Virginia Madsen, in particular, is surprisingly good--but the bulk of this anemic courtroom clunker is borderline inept, and Damon, Oscar-nominated for Good Will Hunting, makes a wan, forgettable hero. Not recommended. (M D'Angelo)[DVD Review—July 24, 2007—Paramount, 135 min., PG-13, $14.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1997's The Rainmaker (Special Collector's Edition) sports a great transfer with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. DVD extras include an audio commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola and costar Danny DeVito, a “making-of” featurette (27 min.), four deleted scenes—including an alternate opening and ending (21 min. total), four screen tests by costars Matt Damon, Claire Danes, Mary Kay Place, and Virginia Madsen (9 min.), a “Watch The Rainmaker with Francis Ford Coppola” option that includes a video introduction by Coppola (5 min.) before the commentary, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a so-so film.]