This Grisham Book Should Have Stayed On The Shelf

“The Chamber” was not the best death-penalty drama of the past year. It also was not the best John Grisham adaptation of 1996. For that matter, it really didn’t do anything all that well.

It seemed that “The Chamber” just flitted mindlessly from subject to subject and genre to genre in an effort to create something worth seeing. In truth, there was very little worth seeing here at all.

Before I get too far, though, it must be noted that Gene Hackman’s performance as Sam Cayhall, an elderly klansman sentenced to die, is probably worth an Oscar nomination. Unfortunately, it’s the only stellar and memorable part of the film.

“The Chamber” proved that some books are meant to be adapted for the big screen, and others aren’t. Grisham, who has made a career of churning out books that read suspiciously like screen plays, should have left this one on the book shelves.

The Grisham novel of the same name was a kind of departure from a very strict formula for the author. “The Chamber” relied much more on family chemistry than courtroom battles and, unlike his other adaptations, required good acting all around to be successful.

Good acting was a rarity in this movie. Chris O’Donnell, as Adam Hall, an aspiring lawyer and Sam Cayhall’s grandson, proved to me he might only be ready for roles like last year’s Robin in “Batman Forever.” His role demanded the emotional maturity of someone like Hackman, and didn’t get it.

The supporting cast was terribly one-dimensional. Faye Dunaway, as Sam’s daughter and Adam’s aunt, had barely a cheerful moment in the film, and her character was not developed well enough to have any real effect on the story.

Lela Rochon, as Hall’s friend with connections, was equally useless. Sometimes, it seemed like her role was the same as Sandra Bullock’s in “A Time to Kill” - a near love interest. But, at other times, there was little indication as to exactly what she was. This character was another example of how meaningless a part can be in a film if it isn’t give due time.

If you’re a Gene Hackman fan, this is by all means a movie for you. Hackman’s performance, as I said, is exceptional and not to be missed.

But for the Grisham fan, a repeat viewing of “A Time to Kill” is probably more worthwhile. And, if you care about the death penalty, watching “Dead Man Walking” for the sixth time is still of more value.

Grade: D