So did John Cusacks character make friends....get involved in some video game (the challenge)...just to set up the facade of a real life so he can maybe get on this jury? What happens to the friends from the beginning of the movie when it's all over?
shareCusack's character knew how to push the judge's buttons. He made up the story knowing the judge was an ass who would make him stay just to make him fulfill his civic duty.
shareBut those guys he was with in the beginning, they were in on the lie too?
shareHis friends at the beginning were, I think, co-workers at the video game store
He knew he might be under surveillance, so he had to remain in character at all times while in public
His video game friends were part of his cover, but there's no reason to suspect they were consciously in on it