Why did I see this movie? Well, as a legal nurse consultant I am obsessed with the law. As a male, I am obsessed with Ashley Judd (now) and action films. As a husband, I am obsessed with my wife's happiness. Since my wife picked Double Jeopardy to rent, I put my selection back on the shelf and decided to view her choice of movies ... though our taste in movies differs significantly.
The premise of the movie is based on the rule of double jeopardy and its application if you have been innocently convicted of a crime. Since no one can be murdered twice, are you then entitled under the rule to a "get-out-of-jail-free" card? The film provides a fascinating "what-if" scenario to ponder. Since I am not an attorney, I can only ponder the concept with you and wonder what would happen in real life.
Legally speaking, the application of the double jeopardy rule in the movie is fascinating. Basically, the rule prohibits anyone from being charged with the same crime twice. The idea is to place a burden on the government to get it right the first time and to protect citizens from prosecutorial harassment. Double jeopardy is a right of all US citizens and is rather common sense ... sometimes not always found within our legal system.
This is the first time that I have seen Ashley Judd. She plays the young wife of her not-so-honest businessman husband with whom she is convicted of murdering. I found her to be a believable actress ... and a rather cute one at that. Her facial expressions remind me of a cross between Victoria Principal, Sandra Bullock and maybe a touch of Winona Ryder, too ... young and fresh and with a twinkle in her eye.
Tommy Lee Jones portrays an ex-law professor turned possessed parole officer in similar fashion to his role in The Fugitive. His rugged personality fits well with his endless pursuit of Judd. In the end, his softer side comes out and he begins to consider her innocence. His passion then is to prove her innocence.
A not-so-sideline plot is Judd's search to locate her lost/stolen child. While they could have added an bit more to this aspect of the film, it still adds the emotional aspect of a mother protecting her young. I would be amiss if I did not add praise for Benjamin Weir who plays her child at age four years. Even though his part is quite limited, he is adorable!
Expanding on my earlier reference to The Fugitive ... if you loved that movie, you will enjoy this one as well. Overall, the movie is a fairly lightweight, sit-in-front-of-the-TV-and-be-entertained" type of movie with broad appeal. It offers a little something for everyone. No one will be ecstatic about the movie, but no one will be disappointed either.
Robert W. Stein, III, RN, MSHA, CHE
bobstein@legalnurseconsultingservices.com
http://legalnurseconsultingservices.com
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