The Client

When two young brothers find themselves reluctant witnesses to a suicide, at least 11-year-old Mark knows enough to realise that his terrifying conversation with the man immediately before his death will attract the attention of the legal authorities - the Feds, no less, headed by prosecutor Foltrigg (Jones); but he probably didn't expect to hear from the Mob. Trouble is, Mark (Renfro) knows too much. But while lawyer Reggie Love (Sarandon) is canny, caring and tough enough to do her best for the boy, is he man enough to reciprocate her trust? And can the pair of them fend off ruthless law-enforcement types and near-psychotic hitmen? Slick, solid and saddled throughout with hackneyed motivation and implausible moments, Schumacher's film is both the best adaptation of a John Grisham novel to date, and a surprisingly suspenseful slice of escapist entertainment. Efficient fun, no more, no less.