adminFilm: Reasonable Doubt
Cast: Dominic Cooper, Samuel L Jackson, Gloria Reuben, Erin Kappluk, Ryan Robbins, Dean Harlen, John Low, David Duncan.
Director: Peter P Croudins
Cinema: Eastgate
Type of film: Psychological/Homicide
Running time: 96 minutes
Age restriction: Adults only
Reviewed by Joel White
Is the ability to suppress a guilty conscience a characteristic which, like so many others, varies from person to person? There can be little doubt that parents are aided in the raising of their children by the scant ability of their young to conceal their guilty feelings. Set in Chicago, America’s second largest city, this highly meritorious film was actually made in Canada and is a tribute to that country’s burgeoning – if belated – desire to have its own Hollywood.
Dominic Cooper, the 29 year old actor, not seen before, is at the bottom level, but working his way up diligently in the role of a Chicago criminal court prosecutor. He is presented to us as a harried, overworked young father of the couple’s newborn, first child.
Taking a tip from current psychological thinking, that a surprisingly high percentage of both the good and bad things which happen to a man or woman going about their daily activities are a matter of highly random chance, unpredictable, unpreventable, this film virtually shows how mighty oaks can result from tiny acorns.
Once immersed in debatably legal, and clandestine, big city contractual arrangements, the victim however innocent he may consider himself very soon finds himself no longer able to call the shots or even cry “enough”.
Samuel L Jackson, born in the State of Tennessee in 1942, has, with his role in this film, moved smoothly into the new persona which senior actors are increasingly choosing to extend their acting careers. In his role in this film he is now a senior graduate of a long prison career; and is seeking revenge on those of his fellow prison inmates who, he feels treated him badly when he had no recourse to prevent it.
A superbly engrossing film which dares the viewer to allow his attention to wander. And highly recommended to the serious film goer.
Online Reporter