Coming from the pages of a John Grisham novel, "The Firm," directed by Sydney Pollack and released in 1993, centers on Tom Cruise as a young lawyer eager to escape his humble beginnings who accepts a lucrative position at a Memphis law office. Along with his wife, portrayed by Jeanne Tripplehorn, he initially revels in their newfound wealth; however, unsettling signs suggest the firm harbors dark secrets. Gene Hackman takes on the role of his guide within the firm, while Ed Harris appears as an FBI agent. The cast also includes Holly Hunter, Hal Holbrook, David Strathairn and Gary Busey. This film has consistently ranked among my preferred choices in this type of story. It’s easy to empathize with McDeere (Cruise) and his wife as their ideal life transforms into a situation from which there seems to be no escape. The scene set in Washington DC really highlights how few options they have, trapped between the Mafia and federal agents. To survive without serious consequences, McDeere has to rely on intelligence, understanding, and “golden connections.” I’ve always appreciated Dave Grusin's piano score, which some people describe as "bouncy." Although that description fits at times, it takes on different qualities depending on the scene; for example, during the final chase through the city, the music is intense and foreboding. There are also moments of sadness when appropriate. A benefit of this score is that it helps keep the film feeling fresh even years later. Many films from around the same period have aged poorly because of their soundtracks, like “No Way Out” (1987). The movie has a running time of 2 hours and 34 minutes and was filmed in Memphis, Tennessee; West Memphis, Arkansas; Cayman Islands; Washington DC; Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. GRADE: A/A-

Source on TMDB