Watched 04/09/2021
Format: HBOmax
Viewing: Second
Decade: 1990's
Director: Alan J. Pakula
It's fair to say, that when I saw this at age 16 or whatever it was (I would have been 15 upon the film's release, and didn't see it in the theater) I followed the plot, but I didn't "get" the film. Recently I was discussing this film with some folks who said it was a good neo-noir, and I should give it a shot, so I did. What the hell else am I doing?
I'd literally forgotten I'd seen the film until reading the synopsis on wikipedia, and realized I had, in fact, seen it, but didn't remember which of the circa 1990-era adult court mystery dramas I was thinking of when and if details from the movie crossed my mind. Firstly "Presumed Innocent" is as untelling a title as what often gets applied to noir. Second, until about 1997, I think every fifth movie coming out was an actor in a suit going to court for some reason or other.
So, yeah, seeing a film about betrayal in a marriage and the fallout wrapped up in a mystery, semi-erotic thriller works far better at age 46 and with 21 years of marriage under your belt. Also, realizing how *good* everyone is in this movie was a delight. And goddamn the early passing of Raul Julia, who was amazing here.