The Client

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The Client

PG-13

Released Jul 20, 1994

2h 0m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

80%

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40 Reviews

68%

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50,000+ Ratings

Fast-paced thriller, based on the John Grisham bestseller, about a boy whose life is endangered after he stumbles across vital information about a politician's murder. His lawyer is the only person offering protection from the unwanted attentions of the Mob and the FBI - but is she capable of saving his life?

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Critics Consensus

The Client may not reinvent the tenets of the legal drama, but Joel Schumacher's sturdy directorial hand and a high-caliber cast bring John Grisham's page-turner to life with engrossing suspense.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

You know, there are more exciting trials on free TV.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 16, 2017

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Slick, solid and saddled throughout with hackneyed motivation and implausible moments, Schumacher's film is both the best adaptation of a John Grisham novel to date, and a surprisingly suspenseful slice of escapist entertainment.

Feb 9, 2006

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

As for Mr. Jones, he's just irresistible. In a smaller but still commanding role that loosely recalls his performance in The Fugitive, his coiled-cobra gaze and that smart, steely delivery remain in perfect form

May 20, 2003

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Jaylan Salah

InSession Film

A film like that means nothing without its main protagonist and no, that’s not Jones as a sleaze-ball, slick-style, pompous, Bible-quoting US attorney named Reverend Roy Foltrigg. It’s Sarandon as the down-on-her-luck hero of this journey.

Rated: A-

Jul 25, 2024

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

The film is hideously colored. The mere look of it sets the mood. It only gets darker as danger increases, and everyone becomes more deliciously beastly. I loved every minute of it.

Apr 4, 2022

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...kicks off with an impressively riveting opening...

Rated: 3/4

Apr 13, 2021

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Christina F

Started off decent got really stupid and really boring absolutely garbage of a movie wouldn't reccomend this movie to my worst enemy, seriously I'd rather watch paint dry..

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Gi S

Good story, as is most movies adapted from grisham novels.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

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Mitch B

Interaction between Reggie and Mark made the movie for me as well as Jones as Foltrigg.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são mais ou menos, o elenco é mais ou menos, mas ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é mais ou menos, os personagens sao mais ou menos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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Joseph M

Compare this movie to anything in the theater today and it would win best picture...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

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Fabrícia F

Meu gênero favorito precisa de suspense e mistério para me conquistar e esse filme cumpre muito bem esses requisitos. Ágil, voraz é inteligente, sabe como levar o roteiro sem perder o ritmo e a lógica. Excelente, perspicaz e emocionante.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Susan Sarandon

Regina "Reggie" Love

Tommy Lee Jones

"Reverend" Roy Foltrigg

Mary-Louise Parker

Dianne Sway

Anthony LaPaglia

Barry "The Blade" Muldano

Anthony Edwards

Clint Von Hooser

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Synopsis

Fast-paced thriller, based on the John Grisham bestseller, about a boy whose life is endangered after he stumbles across vital information about a politician's murder. His lawyer is the only person offering protection from the unwanted attentions of the Mob and the FBI - but is she capable of saving his life?

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Steven Reuther
Screenwriter: John Grisham, Akiva Goldsman, Robert Getchell
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros., Regency Enterprises, Alcor Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 20, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $90.8M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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