The Pelican Brief
1993 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins
Aired December 12, 2023
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The Good Son
It's Complicated
The Pelican Brief
The Pelican Brief
Film credit
Sam Shepard
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 1
- Movies in this archive
- 1
Rewatchables episodes featuring their films
Displaying 1 episode
Mentioned in discussions
Recasting Couch
Michelle Pfeiffer is favored as Susan, with Sam Shepard as Wallace and Tom Hanks as Mark’s father.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:54Read transcript
- Michelle Pfeiffer is proposed as a plausible grieving mother with the right dramatic presence.
- Sam Shepard would upgrade Wallace opposite Pfeiffer.
- Tom Hanks is proposed as an upgrade for the father.
Recasting Couch
Sam Shepard, Tommy Lee Jones or Tom Hanks as Adam; Adam Brody as Harley; early Chris Pratt as a child
Flex pick · Mina Kimes
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:44Read transcript
- Nicholson or Harrison Ford might make viewers demand a romantic reunion, unlike Baldwin’s charming but unsuitable Jake.
- Sam Shepard is favored for Adam’s sensitive charisma; Dennis Quaid and Cruise are rejected.
- Tommy Lee Jones could play a blue-collar contractor; Dustin Hoffman offers a Kramer vs. Kramer callback but is judged too odd and insufficiently competitive romantically.
- Recasting was the flex already used. — Mina Kimes
- Michael Douglas is floated as Adam, with concern that his sexual charisma would overpower the role.
- Hanks is proposed as Adam and encouraged to take supporting romantic-comedy roles again.
- An early-career, funny Chris Pratt could improve one child role, although adding another NBC sitcom star might overload the cast.
- Adam Brody replacing Krasinski gains agreement; the earlier, charming Krasinski is nevertheless preferred.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:38Read transcript
- Shepard and Tucci split preferences; Lithgow is also nominated, and Shepard’s eligibility is defended by his brief screen time.
Amanda Dobbins Smoke Show of the Week
The panel proposes a new category here.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:49Read transcript
- Sam Shepard receives the proposed Amanda Dobbins Smoke Show of the Week designation.
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.
Displaying all 5 discussions
