Axed after only 22 episodes, tense TV thriller The Firm is a prime example of good television falling prey to reality TV and other cheap entertainment. This is enthralling viewing from the opening scene.
Based on the novel by John Grisham and set 10 years after the 1993 film which starred Tom Cruise, The Firm sees Mitch McDeere (now played with conviction by Josh Lucas) and his family reclaim their lives by coming out of the shadows of the Witness Protection Program.
As a successful lawyer, Mitch soon finds his life in jeopardy again when he is found and targeted by Joey Morolto Jnr (Gianpaolo Venuta), son of the mobster he sent to prison a decade ago.
Part mystery, part court room drama and big part thriller, The Firm is notable for two prime reasons, not least being the stellar cast which includes Callum Keith Rennie, Tricia Helfer and the ever-exceptional Juliette Lewis in prominent roles.
The story jumps through time, helping us to build an overall picture of where things have been, and to build tension in knowing what’s to come. The journey to these future points is accompanied by a court-case-of-the-week, where Mitch proves his worth as a lawyer by taking on cases that are rarely anything ordinary. These side stories are often as gripping as the ongoing plot which is somehow also tied into a bigger murder mystery that, in turn, is tied into the ominous agenda of the law firm that Mitch associates himself with. There are so many layers in the story that it’s no surprise that John Grisham himself heads the writing team credits.
The action is high, the tension is even higher, making each episode a thrill-ride that leaves you wanting more. Perhaps the intelligent writing was too demanding for most viewers to contend with because if this exciting drama is guilty of anything, it would have to be expecting too much from it’s audience.
Despite having never been a fan of court room dramas, The Firm hooked me from the opening scene and, six episodes later, it’s too compelling to stop watching. I’m already despairing that it only lasted one season.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 9
The Firm S1 (complete series) is out now on DVD and Digital.
More News
