The Rainmaker (8.2/10)

This 1997 drama/thriller/crime film starring Matt Damon reminded me how good he was in his early career. It’s a classic lawyer movie where you can more or less see the ending coming, but you still find yourself hoping for the best. Nothing overly flashy, but a real solid watch: strong acting, a good plot, and sharp dialogue that keeps it moving. It does run a bit long, but overall you can’t go wrong with it. "Struggling new attorney Rudy Baylor (Matt Damon) resorts to working for a shady lawyer (Mickey Rourke), where he meets paralegal Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito). When the insurance company of Dot Black (Mary Kay Place) refuses her dying son coverage, Baylor and Shifflet team up to fight the corrupt corporation, taking on its callous lawyer (Jon Voight). Meanwhile, Baylor becomes involved with Kelly Riker (Claire Danes), an abused wife, whose husband complicates matters when he confronts Baylor."