Jagged Edge (1985)
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85% of critics liked it
(27 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(5,033 ratings)
In this hit thriller, a prosecuting attorney-turned-defense lawyer falls in love with a rich, charming client who's been accused of murdering his wife and her maid with a hunting knife. When an unknown assailant gruesomely slays San Francisco newspaper heiress Paige Forrester (Maria Mayenzet), her… More In this hit thriller, a prosecuting attorney-turned-defense lawyer falls in love with a rich, charming client who's been accused of murdering his wife and her maid with a hunting knife. When an unknown assailant gruesomely slays San Francisco newspaper heiress Paige Forrester (Maria Mayenzet), her husband and business partner, Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges), turns to corporate attorney Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close) for counsel. Teddy, who quit her job with the district attorney's office four years earlier over an ethical dilemma, has reservations about returning to criminal work; nevertheless, she accepts the assignment, convinced of Jack's innocence and eager to face off in court against her old boss, DA Thomas Krasny (Peter Coyote), who's about run for attorney general. With the help of investigator Sam Ransom (Robert Loggia), the recently divorced Teddy builds a strong defense for her client, though the work -- and her incipient romance with Jack -- cause strain in her relationship with her children. When Jack's innocence and his romantic intentions come into question, Teddy feels her life slipping back into a moral quagmire until a series of courtroom denouements set the stage for even bigger surprises. Big-name screenwriter Joe Eszterhas' follow-up to Flashdance, Jagged Edge was directed by Richard Marquand, who had previously lensed Return of the Jedi. Parts of Jagged Edge were shot on-location in San Francisco, whose City Hall provides the film's courtroom exteriors. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 48 min.
- Directed By
- Richard Marquand
- Written By
- Joe Eszterhas
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Oct 4, 1985 Wide
- On DVD
- May 2, 2000
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
A well-crafted, hardboiled mystery.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The wholesome cast completely obliterates the unstated perversities that have been this genre's reason for being.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The screenplay, by Joe Eszterhas, does what it can to throw up a smokescreen, but the audience will probably be well ahead of the story's final resolution.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Supremely effective.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Like many entries into the genre, Jagged Edge works best when it's watched with a minimum of analysis.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Jeff Bridgesas Jack Forrester -
Glenn Closeas Teddy Barnes -
Peter Coyoteas Thomas Krasny
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Robert Loggiaas Sam Ransom -
Leigh Taylor-Youngas Virginia Howell -
John Dehneras Judge Carrigan
