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The Pelican Brief

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The Pelican Brief

PG-13

Released Dec 17, 1993

2h 21m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

61%

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50,000+ Ratings

Taut thriller about a young law student whose legal brief about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices causes her to be targeted by killers. She realizes just how accurate her accusations have been when her lover and mentor is murdered. Forced to go on the run in New Orleans, she is aided by a journalist who helps her unravel a conspiracy involving senior government figures.

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Critics Consensus

Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are a compelling team in the overlong Pelican Brief, a pulpy thriller that doesn't quite justify the intellectual remove of Alan J. Pakula's direction.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Pakula's always had a cool style, tending toward solemnity, but let's face it, All the President's Men this movie is not. You wish he'd have a little more fun with the pulpy material.

May 3, 2018

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

It's too bad that Pakula allows this 1993 movie to dawdle after its climax, but prior to that he's adept at suggesting unseen menace and keeping things in motion.

Mar 30, 2009

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Brian Lowry

Variety

Pakula has improved on Grisham's book by excising much of the detritus, crafting a taut, intelligent thriller that succeeds on almost every level.

Nov 5, 2008

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John Ferguson

Radio Times

The two leads are fine, but the real coup is the depth of talent in the supporting cast - Sam Shepard and John Heard are among those delivering killer cameos, but everyone is eclipsed by Robert Culp's witty portrayal of a shifty president.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 25, 2024

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

The movie has a foolish ending, but it is worth seeing.

May 26, 2022

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Not on par with Alan J. Pakula's preeminent paranoid cinema. But depicting a POTUS at odds with his FBI director and creating obstruction of justice concerns aligns it with Pakula's other preternaturally predictive potboilers.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 24, 2019

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Eye C

The couple of Roberts/Washington is amazing. The story is so entertaining. One of my favorite of my long gone youth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

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Garry A

I started watching this passively while I was looking at my phone. It has It's moments but it's too long and a little hard to follow sometimes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

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Guillaume D

What a dud. I was waiting for something to happen in this movie... 'till the end. None of it makes much sense, this thing cannot make a choice between a non-functioning chase movie, and a non-functioning thriller.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/25

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Farah R

Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts are electrifying in this slow yet superb thriller. There's something about 90s thrillers that's so comforting and entertaining, and The Pelican Brief is no exception.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

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Evan W

Excellent adaptation of Grisham’s novel that stays true to the story line for the most part. Great performances by Roberts and Washington. Even though this one is a bit old it still shines.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/24

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Paul C

this film has not only stood the test of time - but bettered- superb performances - an intricate intelligent suspense thriller

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

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Alan J. Pakula

Director

Julia Roberts

Darby Shaw

Denzel Washington

Gray Grantham

Sam Shepard

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John Heard

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Synopsis

Taut thriller about a young law student whose legal brief about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices causes her to be targeted by killers. She realizes just how accurate her accusations have been when her lover and mentor is murdered. Forced to go on the run in New Orleans, she is aided by a journalist who helps her unravel a conspiracy involving senior government figures.

Director: Alan J. Pakula
Producer: Alan J. Pakula, Pieter Jan Brugge
Screenwriter: Alan J. Pakula
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 28, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.7M
Runtime: 2h 21m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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