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Claire Kubik (Ashley Judd), a terrific defense lawyer and her successful contractor husband Tom
(Jim Caviezel), live in the plushy San Francisco Bay Area. They are very much in love and are ready to start a family when their idyllic world is shattered as Tom is arrested
by the FBI. Claire is shocked to learn that her Tom, under his real name, Ron Chapman, was a marine operative now charged with the killing of nine innocent villagers in El
Salvador fifteen years ago, a past life she never knew about. Since a military case means a court martial, it is unexplored territory for the hot-shot civilian attorney. To
help her, Claire hires Charles Grimes (Morgan Freeman), once a court-martial superstar lawyer but now an off-and-on alcoholic, earlier disgraced by the military hierarchy. Tom
admits he is Ron Chapman and part of the El Salvador operation, but assures Claire that he is innocent and is being framed by the real perpetrators within the top brass.
Against formidable orchestrated odds, Claire and Charles relentlessly pursue their defense.
Despite scenes that seem contrived, predictable, and even without logic, High Crimes
can still be gripping entertainment for those who love the intricacies and suspense of courtroom drama. The film's tail-end is just too pat and overly-rushing to reach
what turns out to be a good twist of an ending. But it is the impressive complementary Judd-Freeman tandem with their delightful screen chemistry that brightens the movieshe,
dramatically radiant in her fierce passion to set her husband free and he, the gruff grizzly systematically probing through their limited elusive defense. A perfect foil to
the inspired dynamic Judd, Caviezel's performance is colorless and forgettable.
Here is a movie that portrays a wife's unquestioning love for her husband, so strong that she
willingly suffers insults, overwhelming obstacles, and even near-death injuries to save him from the death penalty. When incriminating evidences pop up, her loyalty is put to
a test. She wavers but emerges loyal to the end. In their pursuit of truth, Claire and Charles develop great bonding, not only as a strong defense team, but also as true-blue
friends. Charles is very supportive of Claire in her heartbreaking tragedy, while Claire encourages Charles in his battle with the bottle, enabling him to resurrect his long
wasted legal forte. The tandem's persistent determination to get to the bottom of things pays off, and justice does prevail, though not as expected.
(Date reviewed: July 12, 2002)
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