As an Alan J. Pakula fanatic, there is nothing to dislike about this well staged adaptation. There are some minor plot flaws, sure, but with Gordon Willis magnificent photography nothing can beat the movie!--- Hamidreza Rafatnejad

This is one of those films that has a terrific, spellbinding ending, but to grasp the significance of that ending, the viewer must endure a slow, plodding, two-hour story that slowly builds suspense with subtleties and tedious detail.Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford) is a smart prosecuting attorney who comes under suspicion in the murder of an attractive female colleague. The first half builds the back-story, establishes the main characters, and sets up appropriate red herrings. The second half is set mostly in the courtroom, where a trial plays out in interesting ways. Near the end, we think we know the solution to the mystery, but we are in for a surprise twist, one which I never saw coming.The script presents us with a legal dilemma, one that's fascinating to ponder because it is so bizarre. In so doing, the film has great thematic depth. But the slow, plodding plot seems tedious, with long scene-takes and considerable dialogue. Most scenes are set indoors. Characters trend stereotyped upper-middle class. The tone is serious and intense.Production values are generally good, with excellent prod design and effective though dimly lit visuals. Background music is annoyingly elevator-style that amplifies the plot's lethargy. Casting is acceptable except for Harrison Ford, with his never changing facial expression and monotone voice that's tantamount to Chinese water torture. Almost any other actor would have been preferable. I enjoyed the performances of Raul Julia in the role of Sabich's lawyer and Paul Winfield in the role of the Judge.Despite a slow plot and the casting of Harrison Ford, I recommend this film, with its deep legal themes and terrific ending. The plot is very subtle, a characteristic which one doesn't see much of in current films.

"Presumed innocent" is unfairly forgotten movie in both Harrison's Ford and Alan Pakula career's . It shows that Ford as an actor is more than Indiana Jones and Han Solo and it's last great movie of Alan Pakula.The movie is quite long (2 hours). I can agree that the first half is a little too slow and might be boring. It's necessary , because during that time we get to know the characters , explore their personalities and learn about the murder case. It's important to pay attention the whole time. The patience will be rewarded in the second half of movie with simple , yet subtle twists that will be better and better until the wonderful finale. Every puzzle will fit in the end . considering that dialogues are well written and the pacing gets better during the movie it shouldn't be hard. Many time you will be "Why I didn't thought about that?". Solid direction that never tries to unnecessary manipulate your emotions and well written screenplay will keep you interested in the story.Harrison Ford is great as the main hero –lonely , depressed , bitter . He's got a great support in Brian Dennehy ("Rambo : First blood") and Raul Julia ("Addams family"). Gretta Scacchi is sexy as Carolyn Polhemus and don't forget the solid Bonnie Bedelia as Ford's wife.This is more than fine courtroom drama . It will provide you entertainment, but also make you think about the difference between law and justice. I give it 7/10.

Absolutely Average Courtroom Melodrama that is a Dull and Unengaging Movie at Worst and an Almost Yawning Yarn at Best. Harrison Ford is Miscast or not up to the Task as an Accused Attorney that may or may not have Murdered His Female Colleague. He Definitely is Guilty of Behaving Badly because He Slept with Her.Director Pakula has made some Fascinating and Great Movies. This is not one of Them. He seems on Autopilot here as does the Multi-Ethnic Cast. There seems to be a Smorgasbord of Nationalities that are there for some sort of Political Correctness. It Reeks of Pretension as does the Surprise Ending that may not be much of a Surprise.The Pacing is Slow and the High-Lights are Lowly Lit and Hardly Exciting. In the End it is an Overrated Mood Piece that is so Stagy and Solemn that what Life the Story Contained is Drained Scene by Scene until it just lies there Waiting for the Verdict and when the Murderer is Revealed it is Talked to Death and Explained Point by Point in Case You Missed the Point of all this Drudgery.