Ashley Judd is the female version of Bruce and Arnold. She is like an action figure, who despite what happens to her, can suck it up carrying on with whatever she is supposed to do.
Judd does not pick sappy roles where she wines all day and can only find solace in her girlfriends. No Judd has to be her own best friend because with the parts she picks who knows who the other characters will be or what they will want to do to her.
High Crimes starring Judd is another great girl power, sock it to you, get out of my way or I will kill you movie. She is harsh, manipulative and decisive but still manages to have a very fashionable wardrobe and hairstyle.
The movie is about a lawyer (Judd) in San Francisco who’s husband (Jim Caviezel) is arrested for this military crime in which she knows nothing about. Since it is the military they do not play fair and Judd cannot try the case on her own.
In comes Morgan Freeman, a scruffy offbeat ex-judge advocate who joins the defense team. Freeman and Judd work together on the case becoming friends and solving the very twisted events that play out in the movie.
Freeman who plays a recovering alcoholic, who falls to the waist side once or twice during the movie is the antithesis of Judd. She is smart, practical and he is the self proclaimed “wild card.” Freeman really makes the movie with his old world knowledge and spunky charisma.
Another great portrayal is that of Adam Scott who plays a new military lawyer that is assigned to Judd’s husband’s case. He is very innocent but comes off great with his underlying humor.
The plot, however entertaining has some problems. I would not begin to explain it. There are many things that are left unsaid and unanswered but that is what Judd and Freeman are there for. These two actors have such chemistry that plot shortcomings are almost forgotten.
Directed by Carl Franklin the movie is no piece of art. After all being a commercial movie you already do not expect that much but it is surprising.
The flashbacks offer a great balance with the perfect color pictures of
today’s cinema.
To Franklin’s credit the acts of violence are not drawn out. This is not a violent movie in that you are looking at murders but more of a feeling of pain. The minimum of three times Judd is beat up in the movie are left with an ouch not a ghast or tears.
The best part about this movie is Judd. She is such a talented actress that when she tries to hold back her tears you can feel that lump in her throat as she clears her voice so she can speak. Judd is also one of those actors that audiences beg to see in every scene of her movies.
I don’t know why Judd and Freeman make such a great team, but it may be the fact that they are so different. Who wouldn’t like to have Freeman as a mentor or grandfather for that fact. He has that soothing voice and ask him any question type vibe.
So this year hasn’t been the greatest for commercial movies, but this is quite entertaining. It even has a surprise ending which everyone loves.
