Juror #2
Nicolas Hoult has been called for jury duty, only to realise that it might have been him that committed the crime instead of the accused.
After Crimson Tide1 I wasn’t expecting to see another film so soon about a moral dilemma, albeit a personal one rather than one that triggers the end of the world. The line between right and wrong is clearer here, but Juror #2 wants to you see it from Hoult’s perspective and does a good job of it. You’ve just had a baby, you’re not even sure if it was your fault. You should definitely say something but it means probable life in jail, would you turn yourself in? I like to think I couldn’t bear the sight of another man going down for a crime he didn’t commit, but this film made me question my own moral compass somewhat. I’m curious to hear from people who have kids what they’d do.
This isn’t trying to knock your socks off, and frankly it’s a little bit wanting for an extra scene or two towards the end. But overall it’s another in a long line of sober, very well made films from Clint Eastwood whose mission in life seems to be to try and engage the audience without emotional manipulation or flashy direction. He believes in his story, believes in his actors (usually asking for only one take) and believes in his method - and once again it pays off here.