The Rainmaker

Name: The Rainmaker
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 21, 1997
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Danny DeVito, Matt Damon

1997

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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The Rainmaker

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 21, 1997 | PG-13

Starring: Danny DeVito, Matt Damon

Summary: Francis Ford Coppola directs and scripts this adaptation of John Grisham's novel about an idealistic young attorney who takes on the case of a lifetime. (Paramount)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 135 min

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Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin

Drawing a parade of colorful performances from a constantly surprising cast, the curiously titled ''John Grisham's 'The Rainmaker' '' is Mr. Coppola's best and sharpest film in years. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

The film delivers old-fashioned star turns and glittering cameos (Jon Voight and Mickey Rourke are especially good, but Danny DeVito, Mary Kay Place, Danny Glover, Virginia Madsen, Roy Scheider, and Dean Stockwell--not to mention old-Hollywood icon Teresa Wright--also provide considerable pleasure). Read full review

Rita Kempley

Coppola, who both wrote and directed this entertaining adaptation, follows the well-thumbed scenario, but with the help of his winning cast he disguises the absence of invention. Read full review

David Sterritt

Francis Ford Coppola has directed the legal drama with his usual keen attention to atmosphere and texture, although his adaptation of John Grisham's bestselling novel leaves out connective material that would have made the tale smoother and savvier. Read full review

Anthony Miele

Overall, not a great film, but definitely worth a viewing, especially to those who have seen any other Coppola film released this decade. Read full review

Russell Smith

Director Francis Ford Coppola, who established his towering reputation with an adaptation of another pulpy pop novel, hasn't exactly uncorked another The Godfather here. Read full review

Dallas Observer Michael Sragow

John Grisham's The Rainmaker lulls you into the mindset you get while reading a bestseller at the beach. What a sad thing to say about a Francis Ford Coppola movie! Read full review

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User Reviews

Pluto744

Jun 20, 2021

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2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Xenophobe114

Jun 25, 2021

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0 of 3 users found this helpful03

Palindrome704

Jun 30, 2021

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0 of 3 users found this helpful03

Voodoo123

Dec 29, 2018

+Great cinematography
+Excellent cast
+Screenplay offers depth -Soundtrack seems too present at times -Run-of-the-mill plot ideas The rainmaker is another wonderfully textured Copolla film with an engaging court room drama setting. The cast deliver great performances and the films pacing,+Great cinematography
+Excellent cast
+Screenplay offers depth
-Soundtrack seems too present at times
-Run-of-the-mill plot ideas

The rainmaker is another wonderfully textured Copolla film with an engaging court room drama setting. The cast deliver great performances and the films pacing, editing and cinematography is superb. For the downside...I feel I am fond of the less-is-more approach to film scores (with a few notable exceptions!)... and although the screenplay itself is excellent, the downside is that the plot isn't anything particularly genre defining or mould breaking.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

This is one of the better John Grisham book adaptations I've seen. I liked it in terms of the human drama angle - there is certainly suffering shown, different forms of it via different characters. I felt the film lacked clear direction at the start, although I did feel more engrossed in itThis is one of the better John Grisham book adaptations I've seen. I liked it in terms of the human drama angle - there is certainly suffering shown, different forms of it via different characters. I felt the film lacked clear direction at the start, although I did feel more engrossed in it mid way through and indeed I found myself quite keen to see what the outcome would be for a number of characters who are in less than ideal situations its fair to say.

I also noticed there are some fairly amusing things that happen from time to time, to the young, newly qualified laywer, Rudy Baylor (played by a fresh faced Matt Damon) - his nerves are made very clear and I imagine many people could picture themselves in his shoes, wanting to fight his corner etc.

This film is well cast, with Jon Voight, Danny DeVito and Claire Danes present. I certainly found Voights character someone easy to think badly of, to look down your nose at.

I think this film stands out a bit more than other film adaptations of John Grisham novels as its not a crime action film, its not the formulaic sort of film that some of the other ones are, its more about peoples individual stories, rather than focussing on special effects and constant action. Of course there are courtroom scenes but these don't make up the majority of the film and I thought they were pretty watchable and thus not entirely bland.

Ok there is an element of predictability and even cheesiness present but its better than some similar films, so I'd say its worth a watch if it sounds of interest to you - its not perfect but it is good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Exigent93

Jun 6, 2021

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0 of 4 users found this helpful04

Spangle

Aug 9, 2013

Good acting from Damon and DeVito as expected and good directing from Coppola as expected. However, at the end of the day, the film does nothing to rise above your typical courtroom drama. In addition, as the film gets into the swing of things, it's quite slow and certainly did not need toGood acting from Damon and DeVito as expected and good directing from Coppola as expected. However, at the end of the day, the film does nothing to rise above your typical courtroom drama. In addition, as the film gets into the swing of things, it's quite slow and certainly did not need to be over 2 hours long.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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35	#35 Best Movie of 1997
56	#56 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
47	#47 Most Shared Movie of 1997