The Guilty (2000)

The Guilty Poster

Callum Crane, a lawyer and would-be federal judge, jeopardizes his chances at a judgeship by forcing himself on his secretary. He then worsens the situation by trying to have the woman murdered. Further complicating matters, he assigns the task to a young man who, unbeknownst to Crane, is actually his son, Nathan. Nathan refuses to do the deed, but not before informing several people, one of whom tries to take on the job.

Overview
"The Guilty" is a crime-thriller film, released in 2000, directed by Anthony Wallis. The film includes Bill Pullman as the lead, playing the function of Callum Crane, an effective attorney whose life spirals into turmoil after making a series of incorrect choices. It also stars Devon Sawa as Nat, Joan Pringle as Susan, Gabrielle Anwar as Sophie Lennon, and Angela Featherstone as Tanya Duncan. The plot revolves around a sexual attack, false accusations, murder contracts, and the pursuit of justice.

Plot Summary
The movie starts with the intro of Callum Crane, who will be promoted to a Federal judge in spite of his inadequate ethical compass. On the day of his promo statement, he sexually attacks his brand-new secretary, Sophie Lennon. Sophie, too traumatized to directly face the scenario, leaves from Crane's house but chooses to press charges.

Among the motion picture's significant plot twists is presented when a boy, Nat, enters the photo, released after serving time for theft. After running into each other, Crane discovers that Nat is, in truth, his invalid kid. Lucy, Nat's adoptive mother who worked for Crane in the past, had dealt with an unwanted sexual advance from him leading to Nat.

Crane, in a desperate act to get rid of the sexual assault charges against him, presents Nat with a proposition to eliminate Sophie in return for a good-looking amount. This proposal connects the two together in a haunting dance of death, guilt, and the look for redemption.

Character Development
Nat, the ex-convict, is exposed as a moral figure who is having a hard time to get things right after a life of crime. His decision to impersonate Sophie's sweetheart and warn her about the murderous plot creates thriller and stress, setting the stage for the remainder of the movie. Crane, represented as a man with bothersome morals, spirals deeper into his misbehaviors, thus boosting the style of regret.

Conclusion
The climax magnifies when the cops start examining Sophie's close to fatal car accident that Nat orchestrates in an effort to conserve her from Crane's murderous plot. With this accident, Nat creates an impression of Sophie's death while privately assisting her hide. The plan leads to confusion and the police discover themselves chasing after several leads.

In the end, Crane's guilt and corruption emerge, and he discovers himself on the precipice of losing whatever. Concurrently, Nat manages to correct his past errors and gets another chance to build his life.

Vital Reception
"The Guilty" has actually been valued for suspenseful storytelling, gripping performances, specifically from Bill Pullman and Devon Sawa, and its stunning plot twists. However, some critics discovered the character development and plot progression to be hurried and underdeveloped. Despite these criticisms, "The Guilty" handled to amass a stable audience base due to its enticing storyline and unforeseen revelations.

Overall, "The Guilty" is a thrilling ride that checks out themes of guilt, justice, and redemption, offering the audience an appealing insight into what lengths an individual can go to protect their credibility and restrain their regret.

Top Cast

  • Bill Pullman (small)
    Bill Pullman
    Callum Crane
  • Devon Sawa (small)
    Devon Sawa
    Nathan Corrigan
  • Gabrielle Anwar (small)
    Gabrielle Anwar
    Sophie Lennon
  • Angela Featherstone (small)
    Angela Featherstone
    Tanya Duncan
  • Joanne Whalley (small)
    Joanne Whalley
    Natalie Crane
  • Darcy Belsher (small)
    Darcy Belsher
    Dennis
  • Jaimz Woolvett (small)
    Jaimz Woolvett
    Leo
  • Ken Tremblett (small)
    Ken Tremblett
    Brent Frazer
  • Gillian Barber (small)
    Gillian Barber
    Maddy Corrigan
  • Duncan Fraser (small)
    Duncan Fraser
    Martin Corrigan
  • Bruce Harwood (small)
    Bruce Harwood
    Miles