Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Renfro

A young boy who witnessed the suicide of a mafia lawyer hires an attorney to protect him when the district attorney tries to use him to take down a mob family.

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68% liked it

50,248 ratings

PG-13, 122 min.

Directed by: Joel Schumacher

Release Date: July 20, 1994

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DVD Release Date: December 16, 1997

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Stats: 1,217 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,217)


  • December 21, 2008
    "The Client" is an enjoyable and well executed thriller overall. While the directing, script and overall product are far from amazing and sometimes quite bland, the Oscar level performances compensate for the easily over-seeable flaws.

    Perhaps the child of the title, Brad Renfr...( read more)o, can be annoying in parts he gives a decent enough performance nonetheless. Too bad about the drinks and drugs problem he has today. Susan Sarandon gives another terrific performance, this time as an alcoholic lawyer. Tommy Lee Jones' character doesn't have much to do with the plot but he's a welcome addition to the film, even though.

    While it is easy to find fault with the film it's easier to just sit back and enjoy it. I chose the latter so I thought it was a good, if not spectacular movie overall
  • May 14, 2008
    The exceptionally fine cast--Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, J.T. Walsh, Mary-Louise Parker, Anthony Edwards, William H. Macy, Anthony LaPaglia, Ossie Davis, and Brad Renfro--goes a long way toward making The Client one of the more solidly enjoyable screen adaptations of a John ...( read more)Grisham southern Gothic legal thriller. Teen-heartthrob Renfro is a natural, playing a kid whose life is in jeopardy after he witnesses the death of a Mob lawyer. Susan Sarandon is the attorney who decides to look after the boy; nobody can match her when it comes to playing strong and protective maternal figures (Thelma and Louise, Lorenzo's Oil, Dead Man Walking). Sarandon won her fourth Oscar nomination as best actress for this role, before finally winning the following year for Dead Man Walking. Author Grisham was so impressed with former window dresser/fashion designer/screenwriter-turned-director Joel Schumacher's work on this movie that he later asked him to direct A Time to Kill. Young Brad Renfro also gives a commendable performance as Mark Sway. He manages to create quite a complex character. Susan Sarandon received an Oscar nomination for her role as tough lawyer Reggie. She completely transforms into the character and brings a lot of depth to the film. Tommy Lee Jones, Anthony Edwards, and Will Patton also bring life and authenticity to their characters. he Client strains credulity way too far. Basically, The Client jumps the shark, which is tough to do in a two hour movie. The movie?s seemingly smart main characters are forced to do idiotic things, such as heading out to dig up a body hidden in a mafia hideaway. Ridiculous and totally unbelievable coincidences abound throughout.
  • March 3, 2008
    Let's throw in a plethora of mediocre actors for Schumacher to control.
  • October 20, 2007
    I love Brad Renfro in this film. I think he was a great child actor, the character is a hot-headed street smart kid and of course Susan Surrandon always tends to pull off a great part, the realtionship between the two was pretty endearing. The storyline is pretty unique and all...( read more) in all is a pretty good film
  • August 13, 2007
    Decent thriller
  • November 19, 2009
    Great movie. Love Susan Sarandon, loved Brad Renfro, he was a great little actor.
  • November 13, 2009
    Probably the worst John Grisham adaptation.
  • October 26, 2009
    I've seen this a few times years ago, and recall it was rather good.
  • October 17, 2009
    This is a solid thriller based off a book by writer John Grisham. I have never read the book but this was a good movie. Basically a kid is witness a suicide and gets info that could bring down the mob. Stars Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon and Brad Renfro. The story is solid with...( read more) great acting. Nothing over the top for me but I did enjoy it. Worth a watch.
  • September 24, 2009
    I read the book and it was very interesting, now I want to see the movie

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The Client Trivia


  • "The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn".   Answer »
  • In what movie did Susan Sarandon played a new lawyer who helped a young boy who witnessed the suicide of a mafia lawyer?  Answer »
  • Runaway Jury, Time to Kill, The Chamber and The Client are all films based on the novels by which author?  Answer »
  • Who started in each of these movies; Thelma and Louis, Noel and The Client.  Answer »

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