High Crimes (2002)

While watching "High Crimes" you can't just not fall in love with Ashley Judd. People have been saying it for years and now it's my turn: I'm telling you, the camera loves that woman. And besides her, Morgan Freeman is delivering in what might be one of the least demanding roles in his career.But the composition of the film falls way too short. Perhaps it's the fact that there are so many movies out there covering the same ground: sudden arrest, then court, pretty drama, unnecessary characters then filling the running time (to be specific, what is Amanda Peet actually doing here?), then courtrooms with typical types of personalities: the smart ones, the flat ones, the evil ones, the heroes and the judge. Everything is watchable for 2 and only reasons: Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman.By the time this movie got made, Mr. Freeman had the status of playing a cop-doctor (in the under-appreciated "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came A Spider" as Alex Cross), so why not see him as a lawyer? I'm sold. His characters' words and ways in the movie are the only things exciting. Of course, perhaps you will wonder like I do, how is he recovering so easily from drunken status when the plot needs him to? Well, give the movie a credit, that's the least important mistake it makes.In general, I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys good but not great film-making. It never enlightens us with power and it can't give us the chills but it won't disappoint if you cut it some slack from the beginning. Perfect for a Friday night I guess.

High Crimes is a decent movie with a very well developed storyline and a great cast.I was expecting it to be more of a thriller,which it certainly wasn't,but it was still an enjoyable movie,mainly because of solid performances and very great character development,the movie does drag out a bit however and isn't completely interesting the whole time.Morgan Freeman was certainly the movies highlight,he delivered a brilliant performance like he always does and his character is certainly the most likable,Ashley Judd also did a terrific job,I've complained about her acting before in Kiss the Girls,but she had certainly improved between the gap of these movies and the character was more suited for her.The thing that bothered me the most about this movie is that the "big twist " at the end was really predictable,the writers were clearly expecting it to shock the audience but it was obvious this would happen about a half hour in to the film.Predictable but still enjoyable,High Crimes is a good movie that I would recommend to anyone looking for a good crime film. A woman must uncover national security secrets to clear her husband,accused of war crimes in El Salvador.Best Performance: Morgan Freeman Worst Performance: Jim Caviezel

A rather formulaic film from a Director that has a flare for the stylish, but not here. It is a predictable picture that keeps your interest if not peeks your interest. There are some silly moments in this serious film (the ridiculous spraying oil scene) and some bland side characters.Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman sport some symmetry, but James Carville is as stone faced as ever and whispers most of his lines with little effect. The Movie has a big budget feel that adds little to the proceedings and would have worked well with more restraint.Not a bad film but is clunky in spots and some interesting setups are letdowns. This is an average affair that should have been better from the Director and Stars who know better.

I have learned two things watching this movie: 1) If you are fan, focus on the prime and not the beginnings unless you only see the star you support as supportive cast at best if it isn't just in background: As an Amanda's fan, this movie belongs to her beginnings so we don't see her a lot. But she is perfect as the liberal, inhibited young sister.2) America has an extrovert relationship with violence, thus with military that is its legalized form. So she can do movies about wars (Vietnam, Gulf, Cold-war) or the military world (this one for example). In France, all those things are kept hidden under the rug and french citizen are forbidden to watch movies about decolonization, Indochine, Algeria, ... This is the real trademark of my country: no movies on politics, institutions. The facts aren't distributed by movies in France thus it's hard to have an opinion in my country and I don't really think we can call us a true democracy.That's why a movie like this is like a breath of fresh air, above it depicts the "the big mute" (the nickname of the army in France) as well indeed a big mute... However, if the cast is talented and we feel a good chemistry between Jude and Freeman, the movie doesn't really kick-ass. Maybe it's because the classified crimes is a bit too faraway. By the way, for a movie about soldiers,there are paradoxically a lot of cries!