The Rainmaker (1997)
84%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 10 nominations
Invigorated by its talented cast and Francis Ford Coppola’s strong direction, The Rainmaker is a satisfying legal drama — and arguably the best of Hollywood’s many John Grisham adaptations
John Grisham’s The Rainmaker is a legal drama that’s as comforting as a warm bowl of mac and cheese. With Francis Ford Coppola’s direction and a quirky cast, this movie is a fun and enjoyable ride. It’s not the most original or nuanced film out there, but it’s got heart and stellar performances that make it worth the watch. Plus, it’s a nice break from the thunder-and-lightning storms of other Grisham adaptations. So grab some popcorn and settle in for a cozy night in with The Rainmaker.
Production Company(ies)
3ality Digital Entertainment,
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for a strong beating and elements of domestic abuse
Year of Release
1997
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:2h 15m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 1997 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2007
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Matt Damon, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, Mary Kay Place, Mickey Rourke, Danny DeVito, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Francis Ford Coppola, John Grisham, Michael Herr, legal drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Todd McCarthy, Geoff Andrew, Ruthe Stein, Jack Mathews, PG-13, Michael Douglas, Fred Fuchs, Steven Reuther, Paramount Pictures, Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital, 35mm, Scope (2.35:1), struggling attorney, shady lawyer, paralegal, corrupt corporation, abused wife, insurance company, dying son, callous lawyer
Worldwide gross: $45,916,769
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $85,592,570
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,089
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,333,977
US/Canada gross: $45,916,769
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $85,592,570
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 826
US/Canada opening weekend: $10,626,507
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $19,808,668
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 661
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $40,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $74,563,234
Production budget ranking: 570
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $40,152,302
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$29,122,966
ROI to date (est.): -25%
ROI ranking: 1,541
Claire Danes – Kelly Riker
Jon Voight – Leo F. Drummond
Mary Kay Place – Dot Black
Mickey Rourke – Bruiser Stone
Danny DeVito – Deck Shifflet
Director(s)
Francis Ford Coppola
Writer(s)
Francis Ford Coppola, John Grisham, Michael Herr
Producer(s)
Michael Douglas, Fred Fuchs, Steven Reuther
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 10 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (52) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (9)
A wonderfully quirky cast under Francis Ford Coppola’s direction makes this one of the more enjoyable Grisham movies.
March 5, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: C
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Coppola has never been particularly known for his comic touch, but here he seems bent on leavening the melodrama with as many laughs as possible, and they are generally honest and well-earned.
June 9, 2008
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
This competent, anonymous legal drama (scripted by Michael Herr) is the best John Grisham adaptation yet.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Coppola adapted the novel himself, and he’s done a good job of paring it down.
June 18, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Coppola has infused The Rainmaker with enough humor, character, honest emotion and storytelling style to make it one of the year’s most entertaining movies.
February 14, 2001 | Rating: 3/5
Jack Mathews
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
With its fair share of southern charm and old school filmmaking ingredients, “The Rainmaker” floats like morning mist compared to the thunder-and-lightning storms of other Grisham films.
May 1, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Don Shanahan
25YL (25 Years Later)
What The Rainmaker lacks in nuance or originality it makes up for by serving as cinematic comfort food.
December 2, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Alistair Lawrence
Common Sense Media
[I]t’s the stellar performances from the cast that make this quiet little film such a rewarding watch.
April 28, 2021
Beau North
The Spool
A regular Coppola film about corruption in the lawyers’ world and the moral setbacks found in leading legal matters. [Full review in Spanish]
July 25, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
…a deliberate yet mostly engrossing drama…
June 13, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
One of the better screen adaptations of a John Grisham novel features surprisingly zippy direction from Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) and a colourful supporting cast.
May 1, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)…
Plot
Rudy Baylor is a young attorney out to make a difference in the justice system. He is also the only hope of an elderly couple after their corrupt insurance company refuses to pay out a claim that could save their child’s life. In this judicial drama, Baylor rails against corporate lawyers, corrupt judges, and abusive husbands, all with the help of a fellow lawyer who hasn’t even passed his bar exam. He is facing long odds in the courtroom – and this is only his first case.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.
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