Juror # 2
review by Bobby Blakey
![Juror#2_1000843724_BD_DIGITAL_MOD_AMARAY_2D_TEMP_DOM_SKEW[68].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/088b68_21a71832be36421b8d7046958e25f7de~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_37,y_46,w_1556,h_1979/fill/w_348,h_443,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Juror%232_1000843724_BD_DIGITAL_MOD_AMARAY_2D_TEMP_DOM_SKEW%5B68%5D.jpg)
Clint Eastwood has had one of the most prolific careers as both actor and director than most of his peers. Even at over 90 years old he is still hard at work bringing new films to the big screen. His latest film could very be his last, Juror # 2 stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Messina, Gabriel Basso, Zoey Deutch, Cedric Yarbrough, Leslie Bibb, Amy Aquino and Adrienne C. Moore. Could this latest Eastwood film be another great addition to his legendary filmography or will it fail to take the stand?
Juror # 2 follows family man Justin Kemp who, while serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma…one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict—or free—the accused killer.
There is no doubt that Eastwood is an icon, and his films are always strong even if they don’t hit that perfect point. This latest film was seemingly dumped by the studio without getting much publicity, which is a bummer since it could very well be his final film at 90+ years of age and the film is good even if it isn’t the usual powerhouse audiences are now expecting. I was upset but now that I have seen it, I think this film works better in the world of streaming than the big screen mostly because audiences would likely just not flock to it.
The story is compelling and offers up lots of layers brought on by the case. It starts as a simple court case that could have been enough to carry a film, but the not so surprising connection that Kemp played by Hoult potentially as adds a new layer that makes it even more interesting. The story offers up some twists, but nothing that makes it this edge of your seat case once you
know the initial reason of the concern. It doesn’t take anything away from it either and becomes more interesting wondering how it is going to all play out. There could be something to be said for the coincidental nature of them coming together as well, but that is the kind of thing you just let happen and let the truth fight to the surface.
Like any other Eastwood film, it sports a great cast who all bring their A game with Hoult really holding it down. His emotional responses to everything, both verbal and physical, is where the film gets its biggest impact. The supporting cast feed and fuel his performance making him take whatever stance is necessary at to the time in trying to get to an agreed verdict. It’s not an exciting movie like you might expect in these court room dramas and that is where it might lose people the most.
It's well acted, directed and a compelling story, but not all that exciting or brings any of those big surprise moments that turn everything around. There is plenty of mystery here, but it also plays it all straight forward with the only real mystery in the ending and how it truly is resolved. Don’t worry, there is a definitive ending to the court case, but there is another layer that is circled back to and leaves it with an audience moment of knowing where it is heading without showing us.
Is it one of Eastwood’s best? No, but its not a bad film either. It’s a film that feels like we have seen it before with a new story that works to help it be something fresh in the familiar territory. I did thoroughly enjoy it as is and think its worth checking out if you love the genre and more importantly for the legacy of Eastwood himself and the impressive filmmaking he still does at this age.
Check out the latest film written and directed by Clint Eastwood available now on digital and then on Blu-ray and DVD on February 4th from Warner Bros Home Entertainment.