The Rainmaker (1997)
The American legal drama film, The Rainmaker (1997), was both written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is based on the 1995 novel of the same name by John Grisham. Unlike many other graduates from Memphis State University Law School, Rudy Baylor finds himself without a well-paying job and instead takes on part-time positions at a local bar. In dire need of employment, he meets the bar’s owner, J. Lyman ‘Bruiser’ Stone, who is known for being a ruthless but successful ambulance chaser. After hiring Rudy as an associate, Bruiser explains that associates must find and work up cases in order to receive payment. Rudy eagerly responds with several potential cases, including one involving insurance bad faith that could result in millions of dollars in damages.
Intrigued by this case, Bruiser introduces Rudy to his office paralegal, Deck Shifflet – a former insurance adjuster known for his questionable ethics. While giving Rudy a tour of the office, Deck reveals that he did not pass the bar exam after six attempts. However, Bruiser hired him because of his resourcefulness, ability to find cases and gather information, and his previous experience in the insurance industry. Despite passing the Tennessee bar exam, Rudy is not yet fully licensed to practice law. When Bruiser fails to show up for a case in front of Judge Harvey Hale, Rudy tries to argue it himself but is reprimanded by Hale and instructed to obtain his license first. Offered assistance from defense attorney Leo F. Drummond, Rudy is eventually able to be sworn in before the judge.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Matt DamonRudy Baylor  Danny DeVitoDeck Shifflet  Claire DanesKelly Riker  Jon VoightLeo F. Drummond  Mary Kay PlaceDot Black  Mickey RourkeBruiser Stone  Danny GloverJudge Tyrone Kipler  Dean StockwellJudge Harvey Hale  Teresa WrightMiss Birdie  Virginia MadsenJackie Lemancyzk  Roy ScheiderWilfred Keeley |
The American legal drama film, The Rainmaker (1997), was both written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is based on the 1995 novel of the same name by John Grisham. Unlike many other graduates from Memphis State University Law School, Rudy Baylor finds himself without a well-paying job and instead takes on part-time positions at a local bar. In dire need of employment, he meets the bar’s owner, J. Lyman ‘Bruiser’ Stone, who is known for being a ruthless but successful ambulance chaser. After hiring Rudy as an associate, Bruiser explains that associates must find and work up cases in order to receive payment. Rudy eagerly responds with several potential cases, including one involving insurance bad faith that could result in millions of dollars in damages.
Intrigued by this case, Bruiser introduces Rudy to his office paralegal, Deck Shifflet – a former insurance adjuster known for his questionable ethics. While giving Rudy a tour of the office, Deck reveals that he did not pass the bar exam after six attempts. However, Bruiser hired him because of his resourcefulness, ability to find cases and gather information, and his previous experience in the insurance industry. Despite passing the Tennessee bar exam, Rudy is not yet fully licensed to practice law. When Bruiser fails to show up for a case in front of Judge Harvey Hale, Rudy tries to argue it himself but is reprimanded by Hale and instructed to obtain his license first. Offered assistance from defense attorney Leo F. Drummond, Rudy is eventually able to be sworn in before the judge.
