Bearing little resemblance to the 1990 movie starring Harrison Ford, Presumed Innocent has become an Apple TV+ limited series with an old-fashioned, pulpy feel. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the accused prosecutor, in a show that works as a check-your-brain-at-the-courthouse-steps exercise.
Filled with florid characters and overheated situations, writer David E. Kelley (known for L.A. Law and The Practice) teams up with producer J.J. Abrams on this adaptation of Scott Turow’s novel. This version capitalizes on the eight-episode format to delve deeper into Rusty Sabich (Gyllenhaal) and his family dynamics before he is thrown into a tailspin when accused of murdering colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve), with whom he was having an affair.
Inside Rusty’s Complex World
Rusty’s wife, Barbara (Ruth Negga), doesn’t believe he killed Carolyn, but the case forces them to publicly navigate his infidelity. The series often flashes back to their steamy illicit trysts. Jake shared, We didn’t know what was going to happen either. We were given the episodes as we went along. It’s pretty tense.
Other than Gyllenhaal, whose take on Rusty is less sympathetic than Ford’s (with a better haircut), the series’ cast performs notably well. Ruth Negga as the wounded wife; Peter Sarsgaard, Gyllenhaal’s real-life brother-in-law, portrays prosecutor Tommy Molto; and Bill Camp as Raymond Horgan, the former boss who defends Rusty.
A Modern Take on Classic Courtroom Drama
The production does take some liberties up until its twisty end. Kelley’s involvement brings a flair similar to his other works like Netflix’s A Man in Full. Though sometimes excessive, This is nuts,
exclaims Rusty’s teenage daughter in a moment reflecting the intricate trial dynamics and intense narrative pace.
Rich Narrative but Not Without Flaws
Presumed Innocent proves watchable due to its engaging structure and strong performances despite its excesses. How it handles its ending remains a point of interest. As Gyllenhaal himself admits during interviews: The way he looked throughout the movie, there [are] peaks.
The series premiered on June 12 on Apple TV+, assembling not just an impressive cast but also industry heavyweights like executive producer J.J. Abrams.
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