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High Crimes is an Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy) and Morgan Freeman (Along Came A Spider) film, which means female lead and male sidekick.  In this instance, Judd is married to Jim Caviezel (Count of Monte Cristo) and defends him in a military court with the aid of Freeman, a reformed alcoholic.   The film is based on the novel by Joseph Finder with screenplay done by Yuri Zeltser and Cary Bickley.  That just about sums up the story, oh, yes, there is also Amanda Peet (The Whole Nine Yards) as Ashley's ineffectual sister and Adam Scott as an ineffectual lawyer (Star Trek: First Contact).

The premise has Ashley portraying a high-priced attorney and married to Jim.  They lead a hectic corporate life and are seriously thinking of starting a family. Jim is arrested for crimes committed while being a secretive military man.  Are the accusations false?  Or, did Jim have a private life with the government?  Is there a major cover-up here?  His assigned attorney is inexperienced, so Ashley takes things into her hands and decides to defend him with the help of the investigative Freeman.  It doesn't help that Ashley's sister is there to impede things or that the government (surprise) isn't co-operative.  You know the bad guys-they never smile and have short haircuts, like Bruce Davison as a smarmy general.

High Crimes is quite reminiscent of the Tom Cruise-Jack Nicholson film, A Few Good Men.  There is a major accusation, a steam rolling attempt to prosecute, inefficient help and the good United States citizens have to take things into their own hands to dig out the facts.  What has changed is that the lawyer is female.  The courtroom scenes, which are the best, come toward the end with a surprise ending.  Ah--the problem is that half the audience could have written this screenplay.

Ashley Judd is a take-no-prisoners actress in her line delivery and makes a commanding lawyer.  She is constantly being told she is out of her element, but don't believe it. A few more like her and lawyers could smile again.  She does have bantering dialogue with Freeman, who always manages to out-act everyone in the room.  Caviezel, with his brooding eyes, gives the impression of pain, both physical and emotional.  Peet's role as Ashley's sister seems to have been put in to give her an acting job and the least amount of clothing as possible.

High Crimes is predictable.  You know what is going to happen. Objection over ruled and where is my evidence? One major character's motives are not explained and neither is the reason Jim and Ashley got married in the first place.  Oh, that's right, if they didn't, there wouldn't be a story. For being a bright attorney, Judd's character can't figure out why people know what her plans are. Ohmygosh, the telephone is bugged.  When told she may be in danger, she insists on jogging down the middle of the street. Characters are presented to the audience, smirk and then when you think they are involved in something, melt into the background. After leaving the theater, you may be hard pressed to be able to describe this film to friends.

Copyright 2002 Marie Asner
Submitted 4/14/02