The Pelican Brief poster
The Pelican Brief

What’s Aged the Best?

Shepard; Sneller routine; disguises; chemistry; Goldwyn; newspapers; secret room; New Orleans; following a cab; names; Pakula; conspiracy theorists; jogging clothes; FBI pressure; barking dog

In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:38Read transcript
  • Sam Shepard’s presence and romantic appeal remain strong.
  • The covert Mr. Sneller contact routine remains appealing.
  • Darby’s pigtails, sunglasses, wig and Knicks cap make her disguises memorable.
  • Roberts and Shepard have strong chemistry despite the problematic professor-student relationship.
  • Tony Goldwyn is effective as an unpleasant schemer.
  • A newspaper-centered thriller remains appealing.
  • The secret room used to film the boss is a memorable feature.
  • New Orleans is an excellent filming location.
  • The request to follow another taxi is a classic pleasure.
  • Darby Shaw and Gray Grantham are admired character names.
  • Pakula’s later career revival restores his standing as a thriller director, though Tony Scott is preferred by one response for the 1990s.
  • Self-publishing conspiracy theorists are a joking affirmative selection.
  • Jogging outfits and shorter men’s shorts have returned to fashion.
  • Presidential pressure on the FBI recalls modern disputes over investigative independence.
  • A dog suddenly barking at an already endangered character remains an effective thriller device.