Jagged Edge (1985)

I wasn't sure what to expect with "Jagged Edge" because it gets off to a pretty dull start. But eventually it develops into a superbly-acted courtroom drama; and even though I had issues with Eszterhas' script (the manipulation is a roller-coaster of its own, but the ending reveal is a step too far), this is a movie that kept me guessing until the very end. In that respect, it does its job admirably, but it's not for nothing that you really appreciate the actors' performances. Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges and Robert Loggia are top-shelf talent.7/10

Jagged Edge is a glossy 1980's courtroom thriller about a man accused of murdering his wife. The lawyer he hires falls in love with him as she tries to clear him of murder. It is a simple plot and much of the enjoyment comes from trying to guess whether the husband is guilty or not. Both the leads Jeff Bridges and Glenn Close put in good performances especially Bridges who is all charm without ever seeming too innocent. Peter Coyote adds excellent support as the prosecuting lawyer. There are a few negatives, the courtroom scenes all seem a bit clichéd, clumsy and predictable and at times in the middle the film does lose momentum however the last half an hour is engrossing and pulls it back.I found Jagged Edge to be an entertaining thriller with a good pay off. Well worth watching.

Jeff Bridges plays Jack Forrester, whose heiress wife Page is brutally murdered with a (jagged edged) hunting knife in their San Francisco beach house. Jack finds himself indicted for her murder, though maintains his innocence, and hires high-profile attorney Teddy Barnes(Glenn Close) to defend him. She at first is convinced of his innocence, since she finds herself attracted to his good looks and charm, and so tries to build the case that Page was having an affair with her Tennis instructor. However, a key piece of evidence(a typewriter) will play a devastating role in making her believe otherwise...Slickly made and well acted film is still unpleasant and mostly empty, leading to a conclusion that makes little sense, and is full of holes.(That Typewriter again!)

Right off you know that 1 of 2 people did this crime. It's either the crooked D.A. or the husband character. Along the way it's just too easy to see the ending. This is one of your typical 80's courtroom dramas designed to try and fool you....or at the very least shock you in the end. I had this one figured out a little before half way through. It neither fooled nor shocked me.Basic premise is husband of a rich girl goes on trial for the murder of his wife. The D.A. who happens to running for the Senate tries the case hard because the husband is the boss of a newspaper who happens to write articles that are critical of the D.A.. With this angle they try and fool you or steer you in that direction but it's painfully clear that the husband portrayal is just too squeaky clean. A few surprise witnesses appear and these mysterious notes keep appearing stating that he's innocent. No effort is made through out the film to try and find the typewriter that made these notes so right there, you kinda figure there's no need because the killer is in plain site.Typical 80's drama that'll keep you guessin for a bit, but if your like me, it won't take you long to figure it out. There are much better examples of 80's courtroom dramas like "The Verdict" that show how good that decade was. This one was just surface fluff drama. For a Glenn Close drama that has substance and suspense...try the obvious...Fatal Attraction.