Juror #2 (dir. Clint Eastwood)

By: Adam Freed

What begins as a boozy lovers quarrel in a rural Georgia roadhouse devolves into what appears to be a domestic homicide.  The victim is a young woman who is found bludgeoned not far from the saloon where she spends her final living hours.  Outside of these indisputable truths, the remainder of legendary filmmaker and Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood’s latest film, Juror #2, balances precariously on the edge of reasonable doubt.  Boasting an unyielding plot in support of multiple scalpel keen acting performances, the nonagenarian director has piloted his finest film in nearly two decades. 

While the death of Kendall Carter appears to be an open and shut crime of passion, soon to be father Justin Kemp is called to serve his civic duty as the titular second juror in her homicide trial, one that is far more than initially meets the eye.  Kemp is captured with a metered anxiety by Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu, Mad Max: Fury Road) as the doting husband appears to have motivations that stretch beyond those outlined during jury selection.  Counterpunching Hoult’s dynamic performance is that of Toni Collette (Knives Out, Hereditary), who as prosecuting attorney and aspiring district attorney Faith Killebrew, aptly takes on the role of pursuant legal predator, voraciously hunting a conviction in addition to a promotion.    

Clint Eastwood coyly positions his central character in the moral crosshairs and simultaneously hoists the twin themes of trust and regret to the forefront of Juror #2.  The experienced filmmaker is wise in placing this emotional crux squarely on Hoult’s shoulders, an ascending actor who proves capable of elevating the film around him by creating a palpable tension.  Here, Eastwood’s rapid directorial style works to the benefit of his more experienced cast members Hoult, Collette, J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) and an underutilized Kiefer Sutherland (24).  Disappointingly though, Eastwood's famed brevity from behind the camera  fails to draw the best out his less seasoned performers.  The result is that occasionally the jury room dialogue feels overly intentional and tips in the direction of character exposition.  Ultimately, Juror #2 frames itself as a conventional courtroom drama but elevates appreciably with each unpredictable incendiary development.  

Target Score: 7.5/10  Juror #2 is a welcome restoration of the courtroom drama for famed director Clint Eastwood.  The film’s success is anchored to a pair of compelling central performances from Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette.  Credit to writer Jonathan A. Abrams, who pens a tightly wound and endlessly entertaining script that is sure to lend itself to multiple viewings.