High Crimes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lawyer defends her possibly murderous husband in military court, uncovering a conspiracy that involves too many convenient deaths and a surprising amount of double-crossing, all because someone really didn’t want to admit they messed up in El Salvador.

🍿 High Crimes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: A Lawyer’s World Upended

Claire Kubik, a successful lawyer, enjoys a seemingly perfect life with her husband, Tom. Their idyllic world shatters when Tom is arrested by the FBI and accused of a brutal crime from his past. This revelation forces Claire to confront the reality that the man she loves may not be who she thought he was.

Unveiling Ron Chapman: The Accusation

Tom is revealed to be Ron Chapman, a former Marine accused of murdering nine civilians in El Salvador during a covert operation years ago. Claire grapples with the shocking truth and decides to defend him in a military court, despite her unfamiliarity with military law. She believes in his innocence and is determined to uncover the truth behind the accusations.

Entering the Military Courtroom: A Fight for Justice

To navigate the complexities of the military justice system, Claire enlists the help of Charlie Grimes, a former military attorney with a troubled past. Together, they investigate the case, facing resistance and uncovering a web of deceit and cover-ups within the military establishment. The duo soon discover that proving Tom’s innocence will be a dangerous and uphill battle.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Claire Kubik (Ashley Judd): A high-powered lawyer whose world is shattered when her husband is accused of war crimes, leading her to defend him in military court.
• Tom Kubik/Ron Chapman (Jim Caviezel): A seemingly loving husband and former Marine with a hidden past, accused of murdering civilians in El Salvador.
• Charles W. Grimes (Morgan Freeman): A disgraced former military attorney who helps Claire navigate the complexities of the military justice system.
• Brig. Gen. Bill Marks (Bruce Davison): A high-ranking military officer possibly involved in a cover-up related to the El Salvador massacre.
• Jackie (Amanda Peet): Claire’s somewhat unreliable sister who gets involved in the case and has a relationship with Lt. Embry.
• Lt. Terrence Embry (Adam Scott): A young and inexperienced military lawyer initially assigned to defend Tom Kubik.
• Maj. James Hernandez (Juan Carlos Hernández): A Marine officer who served with Tom/Ron in El Salvador and is suspected of being involved in the massacre.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Charlie Grimes: “This is C.W. Grimes and associates. If you wanna talk to Charlie you should leave a message after the beep. I you wanna talk to Delilah, you should get your head examined!” – This is Charlie’s answering machine message, reflecting his quirky personality and bond with his dog.
• Claire Kubik: “Everything you trust. Everything you know. May be a lie…” – Tagline of the movie, highlighting the central theme of deception and hidden truths.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $42,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $41,543,917
• Worldwide Gross: $63,781,810

💥 High Crimes Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘High Crimes’ years ago and being completely hooked by the mystery! Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman are a fantastic duo. The courtroom scenes were really intense, and I genuinely didn’t know who to trust. The ending was a real shocker, but the performances really made this movie stick with me. Definitely a good watch if you like thrillers with plenty of twists and turns.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of courtroom dramas and legal thrillers.”
  • “Viewers interested in stories involving military conspiracies.”
  • “Those who enjoy films starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman.”
  • “Audiences who like movies with surprising plot twists.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Some disturbing images”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Themes of murder and war crimes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”High Crimes” delivers solid performances from Judd and Freeman, elevating a predictable plot with their chemistry. While the courtroom drama keeps you engaged, the ending veers into overly-dramatic territory, diminishing the impact of the earlier suspense.
• The New York Times: “Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman make a good team. High Crimes makes you wonder, if Ashley Judd had a different husband and a different role in the story would she have known the truth from the start?
• RogerEbert.com: “I give “High Crimes” a qualified recommendation. It’s well-made and entertaining, and Judd and Freeman are always watchable. But it needed a little more focus and a little less formula to be truly memorable.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected plot twists kept me guessing until the very end!: Viewers praised the strong performances of Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman, particularly their on-screen chemistry.

Morgan Freeman’s portrayal of the flawed, but brilliant lawyer was captivating.: Many enjoyed the suspenseful storyline and the courtroom drama that kept them engaged.

Overall Consensus: ‘High Crimes’ is a solid, entertaining legal thriller with strong performances, but some find the plot predictable and the ending somewhat disappointing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “In early versions of the script, Ashley Judd’s character was to be a Harvard law professor.”
• “The film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of military justice.”
• “Director Carl Franklin is known for his ability to create suspenseful and character-driven thrillers.”

🖥️ How to Watch High Crimes?

High Crimes is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options and availability on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed High Crimes, you might like these similar films:

• A Few Good Men (1992): Both films feature a military court setting and explore themes of justice, honor, and conspiracy within the armed forces.
• Rules of Engagement (2000): Deals with similar themes of military conduct and the complexities of war crimes, with a focus on the ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers.
• The Music Box (1989): A lawyer must defend her father, accused of high crimes during World War 2.
• Jagged Edge (1985): Features a lawyer who falls for their client, only to question their innocence.

🛒 High Crimes Related Products

• A Few Good Men [Blu-ray]: Explore another gripping military courtroom drama starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. Delve into themes of honor, truth, and the burden of command.
• Ashley Judd Signed Photo – High Crimes: Own a piece of movie history with a personally autographed photo of Ashley Judd from ‘High Crimes.’ A perfect addition to any collector’s showcase, capture the intensity of her character.
• Rules of Engagement [DVD]: Another gripping military courtroom drama starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. Explore the complexity, conspiracy, and political intrigue of ‘High Crimes’.
• New Regency 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray Collection: Relive over 30 award-winning and legendary performances by some of Hollywood’s most talented actors. All 33 Blu-rays are newly remastered, providing the ultimate home viewing experience.

🎧 Soundtrack

High Crimes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’m Not the Enemy” – performed by Lina and Jeeve
• “Original Score Excerpts” – performed by Graeme Revell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

High Crimes (2002) Hollywood Romantic Movie Explained In Hindi Taless

Ever wondered what ‘High Crimes’ is all about but prefer a Hindi explanation? This video breaks down the entire movie for you! It really helps to understand all the plot twists.

20th Century Fox / Regency Enterprises (High Crimes)

Check out the classic 20th Century Fox and Regency Enterprises logo as it appeared at the beginning of ‘High Crimes’! It’s always cool to see these iconic logos.

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