The claim that the studio prohibited an interracial romance is rejected: Roberts supported Washington’s casting and the romance, while he reportedly opposed it out of concern for his audience.
The stated budget is $45 million and gross $193 million.
The White House set was also used in Dave.
Grisham reportedly wrote Darby with Roberts in mind, though the convenient casting claim draws skepticism.
Roberts attended Tulane law classes and Washington visited the Washington Post to prepare.
After her own Best Actress win, Roberts presented Washington his Best Actor Oscar the following year.

Security; editor decisions; convenient discoveries; unexplained details

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 00:31:18Read transcript

Giving Mattiece scenes might supply a stronger antagonist, although using the president as the plot’s visible representative is defended.
Security for a Supreme Court justice seems insufficient, although Khamel’s exceptional assassin skills are offered as an explanation.
The newspaper gives Darby Gray’s cabin address after she merely claims to be his sister.
The editor’s obstruction and reassignment demands are so irrational that he initially seems part of the conspiracy.
The FBI’s alarm over an unverified brief seems excessive.
Verheek’s stated height and weight divide opinion rather than producing agreement.
The parking-garage escape depends on a dog attacking the pursuing woman; her affiliation also briefly confuses the discussion.
A conveniently placed registrar’s-office bystander supplies the information Gray needs.
The student on medical leave is distractingly handsome for the brief part.
The video affidavit’s basement contains an oddly large number of saws.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:31:51Read transcript

Ebert gives three stars and credits the director’s stars, visual style and ominous music with elevating ordinary source material.
Ebert dismisses Grisham’s literary reputation, viewing his plots and characters as functional material for films.

Roberts was Grisham’s choice

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:14:29Read transcript

Grisham wanted Roberts for Darby, a choice treated as unsurprising given her popularity.

Zendaya; gender-swap with Holland; Gyllenhaal/Driver; Davidson disputed; Goldwyn as president

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:17:03Read transcript

Zendaya is proposed for Darby; a gender-swapped version would pair her reporter with Tom Holland’s law student.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Adam Driver are considered for Gray.
Pete Davidson is proposed for Gray but receives immediate resistance.
Goldwyn could return as the president.

Heald’s range; Gray’s relationships; Darby’s refuge; Pulitzer; privacy

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:31:51Read transcript

Could Anthony Heald convincingly escape his sneering-villain typecasting?
Gray’s relationship history is unexplained, with divorce considered plausible.
Darby’s flight destination and eventual refuge are uncertain, with the Caribbean favored.
Whether Darby and Gray win a Pulitzer, and whether she attends, remains unresolved.
How long can Gray protect Darby’s location from determined investigators?

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:34:48Read transcript

The Firm is suggested for a long Grisham double bill.
The Parallax View offers a comparison with Pakula’s earlier conspiratorial work.
Hardcore is also proposed.