MovieChat Forums > Presumed Innocent (2024) Discussion > Watched Episode 1 and

Watched Episode 1 and

posted 5 months ago by BeaSouth (3298)
11 replies | jump to latest

I thought it was pretty gripping. The subplot was very interesting about the internecine battle between the district attorney up for reelection with one of his very prosecutors running against him. It added a level of tension and stress to an already highly scrutinized murder investigation. I also liked Nana Mensah as the world-weary DA private investigator who was duty-bound to do the job she seemed to despise after all her years. I really like the backstory of a character compelled by a sense of personal obligation to do a job she only wants to run from.

[–] redban (6194) 5 months ago

I’ve been thinking of watching. I like Jake Gyllenhaal. I just hope the wokeness isn’t out of hand

[–] greentimemusic (1073) 4 months ago

I'm a little confused. I'm on episode 1 as well. Maybe you can help.

It seems that it begins with him in court and is sounds like he's defending someone. So I assumed he a defense attorney. But then he's working with the DA and he's a prosecutor.

So which is he? Defense or prosecutor?

[–] BeaSouth (3298) 4 months ago

He’s a prosecutor. If you’re talking about the initial scene where he appears to be giving an opening statement to the jury, I can understand the confusion. He appears to be playing devil’s advocate about how important it is for the jury and the system to search for the truth and provide fairness and justice to the defendant. As a former prosecutor myself, I can see this being done in an opening in order to gain credibility with the jury as a straight shooter. The closing argument at the end of trial would never use this kind of strategy. It would instead argue all the evidence and give no “benefit of the doubt” to the defendant.

I’m on episode 6. I still like it and I’ve heard there is an incredible twist at the end so, I’m trying to be careful on these boards so I don’t see a spoiler. I’m disappointed that the character I really liked, the DA private investigator / cop has all but disappeared.

[–] greentimemusic (1073) 4 months ago

I see. Thank you for explaining that. I'll have to go back and watch the beginning again just to see what he actually said now.

Thanks again!

[–] letess (1513) 4 months ago

It looks like you might not have seen the movie. I’m guessing. Am I correct?

[–] BeaSouth (3298) 4 months ago

I saw it but at the theater when it came out. Too long ago to remember much about it other than the ending in general. Why do you ask?

[–] letess (1513) 4 months ago

Because the movie was fantastic and unforgettable. And it sounds like it was all new to you.

[–] BeaSouth (3298) 4 months ago

I have to go back and watch the movie again. I do recall enough about the ending to say that the denouement in this TV remake was entirely different. I also recall the courtroom scenes in the movie were better than this TV show.

[–] letess (1513) 4 months ago

It’s the cast and the script. Raul Julia. And what was the whole point of the movie - his infidelity with perhaps was one of the most beautiful and sexiest femme fatales, Greta Scacchi playing Carolyn. The actress who played Carolyn in this TV one should have played his wife. I’m not sure Jake was likable in this. Harrison was.

[–] Bartholomew (68) 4 months ago

Although the movie was far superior in most respects, I liked the way this series handled the affair. Rusty didn't fall for Carolyn because she was one of the most beautiful women around; he fell for her because he grew to admire her during the long hours they spent working together. That's probably much more common in real life.

The series had the time to show how devastated his family was by the ongoing revelation of details about his infidelity, and Rusty's guilt about that (an ironic twist on the title). As he described himself, he was contemptible for betraying his wife and setting a poor example for his children.

His unlikable character also made it easy to view him as portrayed by Molto in his closing argument. Because of that, the jury could have believably gone either way.

[–] letess (1513) 4 months ago

The movie’s premise is that poetic justice was served over the murder of a femme fatale who was bad news. It’s in the intro. The series is just messy and lazy and it’s an accident?? Also, madonna and child are killed. The best part of the TV series was Molto - actually Peter Sarsgaard. There was no chemistry good or bad with Rusty (Jake) and his wife but there was a lot of chemistry between Carolyn and Rusty (Jake). There were way too many kids. The actors were really good in the movie - Raul Julia was a standout. Jake’s not that good.

Scott Turow did mention that because of the discovery of DNA, it is obvious that the current version would have to be rewritten. He also liked Sarsgaard.