FEATURE FILM

The Pelican Brief

6.6/10
TMDB1,854 votes
1993Original: English141 min

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.

Genres: Thriller, Drama
Cast: Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, John Heard, Tony Goldwyn

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THE STORY & THE PEOPLE

About The Pelican Brief

Two Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.

The Pelican Brief (1993) is a film in the thriller, drama genres. Directed by Alan J. Pakula. The cast includes Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, John Heard.

Released
1993-09-17
Original language
English
Runtime
141 minutes
Status
Released
Production countries
United States of America
Production companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
Writers
Alan J. Pakula

The Pelican Brief cast & characters

Audience reviews

6.6/10 from 1,854 TMDB votes. Ratings and reviews are supplied by TMDB. Reviews are attributed to their original authors.

Wuchak

TMDB member review

Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington team-up in this crime thriller RELEASED IN 1993 and directed by Alan J. Pakula from John Grisham’s novel, "The Pelican Brief” is a political drama/thriller about a law student (Julia Roberts) who researches the murders of two supreme court justices and shares her theory with her college professor (Sam Shepard) who, in turn, gives it to an FBI friend on a lark. The brief hits a…

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Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington team-up in this crime thriller RELEASED IN 1993 and directed by Alan J. Pakula from John Grisham’s novel, "The Pelican Brief” is a political drama/thriller about a law student (Julia Roberts) who researches the murders of two supreme court justices and shares her theory with her college professor (Sam Shepard) who, in turn, gives it to an FBI friend on a lark. The brief hits a nerve because people start dying one-by-one. Denzel Washington plays a DC reporter who teams-up with the student while Robert Culp appears as the president. While I prefer “The Firm” (1993), which was also written by Grisham, this one is along the same lines, albeit with a totally different story (naturally). “Pelican” has more action, but the plot/characters aren’t quite as interesting IMHO. Still, if you liked one, you’ll probably appreciate the other. THE MOVIE RUNS 2 hours, 21 minutes and was shot in New Orleans and Washington DC/Maryland. ADDITIONAL CAST: John Heard plays an FBI agent, Stanley Tucci a hitman and John Lithgow an editor. GRADE: B/B-

Questions about The Pelican Brief

What is The Pelican Brief about?

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.

Who stars in The Pelican Brief?

Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, John Heard, Tony Goldwyn, James B. Sikking. See the cast cards above for character names.

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