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The Rainmaker

"They were totally unqualified to try the case of a lifetime... but every underdog has his day."

1997-11-18 Drama 2hr 15m

When Rudy Baylor, a young attorney with no clients, goes to work for a seedy ambulance chaser, he wants to help the parents of a terminally ill boy in their suit against an insurance company. But to take on corporate America, Rudy and a scrappy paralegal must open their own law firm.

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The Rainmaker
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Storyline

When Rudy Baylor, a young attorney with no clients, goes to work for a seedy ambulance chaser, he wants to help the parents of a terminally ill boy in their suit against an insurance company. But to take on corporate America, Rudy and a scrappy paralegal must open their own law firm.

  • Released
    1997-11-18
  • Revenue
    $45,916,769
  • Budget
    $40,000,000
  • Runtime
    2hr 15m
  • Genre
    Drama, Crime, Thriller
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English
  • imdb-logo
    7.2
  • Production
    Douglas/Reuther Productions, American Zoetrope, Constellation Films

Crew

Francis Ford Coppola
Director
John Grisham
Novel
Fred Fuchs
Producer
Keywords:
court case jurors proof leukemia lawyer courtroom legal thriller inspirational dramatic

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Cast

Matt Damon

Matt Damon
Rudy Baylor
Claire Danes

Claire Danes
Kelly Riker
Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito
Deck Shifflet
Jon Voight

Jon Voight
Leo F. Drummond
Mary Kay Place

Mary Kay Place
Dot Black
Dean Stockwell

Dean Stockwell
Judge Harvey Hale
Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke
Bruiser Stone
Danny Glover

Danny Glover
Richter Tyrone Kipler
Virginia Madsen

Virginia Madsen
Jackie Lemancyzk
Randy Travis

Randy Travis
Billy Porter
Roy Scheider

Roy Scheider
Wilfred Keeley
Red West

Red West
Buddy Black
Johnny Whitworth

Johnny Whitworth
Donny Ray Black
Andrew Shue

Andrew Shue
Cliff Riker
Teresa Wright

Teresa Wright
Colleen 'Miss Birdie' Birdsong
Wayne Emmons

Wayne Emmons
Prince Thomas
Adrian Roberts

Adrian Roberts
Butch
Michael Girardin

Michael Girardin
Everett Lufkin
Randall King

Randall King
Jack Underhall
Justin Ashforth

Justin Ashforth
F. Franklin Donaldson
Michael Keys Hall

Michael Keys Hall
B. Bobby Hall
James Cunningham

James Cunningham
J. Michael Floquet
Frank Clem

Frank Clem
Mr. Van Landel
Alan Woolf

Alan Woolf
Kermit Aldy
Sonny Shroyer

Sonny Shroyer
Delbert Birdsong
Pamela Tice Chapman

Pamela Tice Chapman
Vera Birdsong
John Yancey

John Yancey
Homicide Detective

Videos and Photos

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Movie Reviews

Reviews for The Rainmaker
reviewer avatar

A Review by Wuchak 7

Written by Wuchak on 2018-07-29

‘Good lawyer’ is not an oxymoron RELEASED IN 1997 and written & directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on John Grisham’s book, "The Rainm... read more

‘Good lawyer’ is not an oxymoron RELEASED IN 1997 and written & directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on John Grisham’s book, "The Rainmaker" stars Matt Damon as an idealistic newbie lawyer in Memphis who takes on a fraudulent insurance company with Danny DeVito as his paralegal and Claire Danes an abused potential love interest. Jon Voight plays the lead lawyer for the insurance company and Roy Scheider the CEO of the corporation. Beyond Coppola’s renowned expertise, the cast is stellar, which also includes Mickey Rourke as a smooth legal mogul, Virginia Madsen as a witness and Dean Stockwell & Danny Glover as judges. This was Damon’s break out role as a leading man, paving the way for hits like “Good Will Hunting” (1998) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998). He’s affable as the principled young lawyer and I liked the way the movie discreetly shows his new home life with the elderly lady, plus other budding relationships. This is decidedly a drama with many courtroom scenes, so don’t except the thrills of other Grisham-based films, like the excellent “The Firm” (1993) and action-packed “The Pelican Brief” (1993), although there is an intense action sequence in the second half. While the first half confidently take its time with the drama, throwing in moments of realistic amusement, it segues into a compelling third act. Furthermore, “The Rainmaker” is a must for anyone interested in the good, the bad and the ugly of the legal arena in America. The movie made $46 million domestically from a budget of $40 million (not including revenue from other countries), but it was still considered a disappoint in comparison to “The Firm,” which cost roughly the same amount and made six times as much at the box office. Coppola subsequently took a decade break from directing before reentering the fray with the inscrutable “Youth Without Youth” (2007). THE FILM RUNS 2 hours, 15 minutes and was shot in the Memphis area of Tennessee, as well as Cleveland, Ohio and California (Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco). GRADE: B

reviewer avatar

A Review by RalphRahal 8

Written by RalphRahal on 2024-12-14

The Rainmaker is a compelling legal drama that showcases Francis Ford Coppola's return to form after the less successful Jack. Adapted from ... read more

The Rainmaker is a compelling legal drama that showcases Francis Ford Coppola's return to form after the less successful Jack. Adapted from John Grisham's novel, the film follows Rudy Baylor, a novice attorney portrayed by Matt Damon, as he takes on a powerful insurance company in a wrongful death lawsuit. While the case's outcome may seem predictable, the narrative remains engaging, keeping viewers invested throughout. Matt Damon delivers a strong performance, capturing Rudy's earnestness and determination. 1997 was indeed a significant year for Damon, with Good Will Hunting also releasing, further establishing his presence in Hollywood. The supporting cast, including Danny DeVito as Deck Shifflet and Jon Voight as the opposing attorney, adds depth and nuance to the story. Coppola's direction brings a grounded realism to the film, focusing on the intricacies of the legal process and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The courtroom scenes are particularly well-executed, balancing tension and drama effectively. With Coppola's direction and the performances, The Rainmaker is notably one of the better adaptations of Grisham's work. Despite its strengths, The Rainmaker didn't achieve significant box office success, grossing $45.9 million domestically against a $40 million budget. However, it received generally positive reviews. In summary, The Rainmaker is a well-crafted film that combines strong performances with insightful direction, making it a noteworthy entry in Coppola's filmography and a testament to Damon's early talent.

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by Wuchak

‘Good lawyer’ is not an oxymoron RELEASED IN 1997 and written & directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on John Grisham’s book, "The Rainmaker" stars Matt Damon as an idealistic newbie lawyer in Memphis who takes on a fraudulent insurance...

reviewer avatar

A Review by Wuchak 7

Written by Wuchak on 2018-07-29

‘Good lawyer’ is not an oxymoron RELEASED IN 1997 and written & directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on John Grisham’s book, "The Rainmaker" stars Matt Damon as an idealistic newbie lawyer in Mem...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by RalphRahal 8

Written by RalphRahal on 2024-12-14

The Rainmaker is a compelling legal drama that showcases Francis Ford Coppola's return to form after the less successful Jack. Adapted from John Grisham's novel, the film follows Rudy Baylor, a novice...

read more