Pop Culture Happy Hour – “Best John Grisham Adaptations, Ranked” (August 21, 2025)

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In this episode, Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson rank and discuss the best film adaptations of John Grisham's legal thrillers. The episode explores why these movies were so popular in the '90s, what makes each adaptation memorable, and the performances and directors that elevated them. Drawing from Linda Holmes’ own NPR article, the hosts break down the top five adaptations, discuss their personal favorites, and touch on the distinctive "Grishaminess" of each film.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Approach and Ground Rules (00:40–02:39)

• Linda's Ranking Criteria:
  • Focus is on legal thrillers adapted from published Grisham novels—not non-fiction, not tangential adaptations like Christmas with the Kranks, and not any unavailable or incomplete works.
  • Example exclusions: The Street Lawyer (unaired pilot), The Client (unavailable TV version), The Gingerbread Man (not based on a published novel).

“In honor of lawyers, there's just a lot of caveats that you have to be aware of.” — Linda Holmes (02:19)

#5: The Client (1994) — Directed by Joel Schumacher (02:43–05:15)

• Plot Highlights:
  • Susan Sarandon stars as Reggie Love, a lawyer for a boy (Brad Renfro) who inadvertently becomes entangled in a mob case.
  • Tommy Lee Jones plays an aggressive, politically motivated prosecutor.
• Why It Stands Out:
  • Praised for performances—particularly Susan Sarandon and a young, natural Brad Renfro.
  • Notable supporting cast: Anthony Edwards, Mary-Louise Parker, a uniquely unrecognizable Bradley Whitford.
  • Marks a pattern of “big director” involvement—Joel Schumacher at the height of his career.

“This is a nice Susan Sarandon performance as a Grisham hero. And Tommy Lee Jones...he’s kind of doing a slimier...very politically motivated [character].” — Linda Holmes (03:33)

“I remember this as kind of the height of Tommy Lee Jones and his Tommy Lee Jones-ness.” — Stephen Thompson (04:06)

#4: A Time to Kill (1996) — Directed by Joel Schumacher (05:24–08:57)

• Plot Highlights:
  • Samuel L. Jackson as Carl Lee Haley, who is on trial for killing the men who assaulted his daughter.
  • Matthew McConaughey’s breakout as attorney Jake Brigance, with supporting roles from Sandra Bullock (law student assistant) and Oliver Platt (Jake’s cynical friend).
• Thematic Insights:
  • Acknowledges clunky racial politics and the outdated "white savior" tropes.
  • Praised for the tension and moral complexity brought by the ensemble.
  • The film’s physical atmosphere—“one of the sweatiest movies you will ever see”—is noted for its intensity.
  • Chris Cooper and other standout character actors contribute to the texture.
• Memorable Quote:

“Some people love this movie. Some people don’t like this movie. It definitely has some very clunky racial politics in it...But Samuel L. Jackson is really good in it and has a scene where he kind of explains to Jake, we are not on the same side.” — Linda Holmes (06:36)

#3: The Firm (1993) — Directed by Sidney Pollack (09:01–12:15)

• Plot Highlights:
  • Tom Cruise stars as Mitch McDeere, who joins a seemingly prestigious law firm and discovers its criminal underbelly.
  • Features Gene Hackman as a tragic mentor, Holly Hunter as a memorable secretary, Gary Busey, and Wilford Brimley as a fearsome enforcer.
• Iconic Elements:
  • “Grishamiest Grisham” story—new lawyer, high stakes, secrecy, constant threat.
  • Tom Cruise’s signature running style is humorously noted.
  • Satirical “Grishaminess” score: 12/10.
• Director Significance:
  • Another major director (Sidney Pollack) brings prestige and suspense to the adaptation.

“This is the Grishamiest Grisham story, in my opinion.” — Linda Holmes (10:35)

“Tom Cruise beats Wilford Brimley unconscious with a briefcase. It is amazing.” — Linda Holmes (10:28)

#2: The Rainmaker (1997) — Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (12:20–15:07)

• Plot Highlights:
  • Matt Damon plays a young, struggling lawyer taking on a corrupt insurance company, supported by Danny DeVito’s scheming paralegal.
  • Jon Voight excels as a sleazy defense attorney, with notable appearances by Roy Scheider (head of the insurance company), Claire Danes, and Andrew Shue.
• Unique Qualities:
  • “Scrappy and fun”—evokes the underdog spirit.
  • Focuses on the quietly destructive “banality of evil”—insurance company indifference leading to tragedy.
  • Danny DeVito–Matt Damon dynamic is particularly enjoyable.

"Not even when he was being eaten by a snake in Anaconda was Jon Voight this slimy." — Linda Holmes (13:42)

“The evil of this is so boring. ...It’s not a fancy kind of evil. It’s just a kind of evil that grinds people down.” — Linda Holmes (14:40)

#1: The Pelican Brief (1993) — Directed by Alan J. Pakula (17:30–19:58)

• Plot Highlights:
  • Julia Roberts plays Darby Shaw, a law student whose research unravels a high-level conspiracy behind the assassination of Supreme Court justices.
  • Denzel Washington co-stars as an intrepid journalist (Greg Grantham), with a cast including Stanley Tucci (assassin), John Lithgow (editor).
• Why It’s the Best:
  • Praised as a “fabulous” paranoid thriller that marries Grisham’s suspense with Pakula’s political-thriller expertise.
  • Features memorable suspense sequences (garage chases, hospital encounters).
  • Stands as Linda Holmes' most-watched Grisham adaptation and her highest recommendation.
• Notable Quote:

“This is just an extremely satisfying film. ...This one is a 10 on the Grisham scale. This is another one that I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched this movie. Probably at least ten. Love this one.” — Linda Holmes (19:05)

“If I could tell people to just watch one Grisham legal thriller...I would say watch The Pelican Brief.” — Linda Holmes (19:49)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Limitations of the List:
  “In honor of lawyers, there's just a lot of caveats that you have to be aware of.” — Linda Holmes (02:19)
• On Brad Renfro:
  “He’s very natural in this movie. ...He really seems like a kid. Unfortunately, he died quite young...He’s great in this.” — Linda Holmes (04:14)
• On Tom Cruise in The Firm:
  “Tom Cruise beats Wilford Brimley unconscious with a briefcase. It is amazing.” — Linda Holmes (10:28)
• On The Rainmaker:
  “The evil of this is so boring. ...It’s just a company that won’t do what it should do. And as a result, somebody is dying.” — Linda Holmes (14:40)
• On The Pelican Brief:
  “I think this is just an extremely satisfying film. ...This one is a 10 on the Grisham scale.” — Linda Holmes (19:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:20 | Introduction to the episode and Grisham adaptation landscape | | 01:08 | Linda explains ranking methodology | | 02:43 | #5: The Client | | 05:24 | #4: A Time to Kill | | 09:01 | #3: The Firm | | 12:20 | #2: The Rainmaker | | 17:30 | #1: The Pelican Brief |

Conclusion & Listener Engagement

• Stephen Thompson encourages listeners to share their own favorite Grisham adaptations:
  “Find us at Facebook.com/PCHH and on Letterboxd at Letterboxd.com/NPRpopculture...” (19:58)

• Linda’s Final Recommendation:
  “If I could tell people to just watch one Grisham legal thriller, if they never have, I would say watch The Pelican Brief.” (19:49)

This summary captures the lively, affectionate, and slightly irreverent tone of the hosts, while faithfully distilling the episode’s core insights and moments.