The Rainmaker (1997)

The Rainmaker Poster

When Rudy Baylor, a young attorney with no clients, goes to work for a seedy ambulance chaser, he wants to help the parents of a terminally ill boy in their suit against an insurance company. But to take on corporate America, Rudy and a scrappy paralegal must open their own law firm.

Summary of the Movie "The Rainmaker"
"The Rainmaker" is an effective legal drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola and launched in 1997. Based on John Grisham's book of the exact same name, the film stars a young Matt Damon as Rudy Baylor, a beginner lawyer, and Danny DeVito as Deck Shifflet, a paralegal.

Setting and Characters
Set in Memphis, Tennessee, the film follows the life of Rudy Baylor, an optimistic law graduate whose desperation for work leads him to a dubious legal representative called Bruiser Stone (Mickey Rourke). Baylor is assigned his first case, a lawsuit versus a powerful insurer, by Deck Shifflet, a rather undependable but knowledgeable paralegal.

Plot
Rudy's primary case focuses on Donny Ray Black, a boy struggling with Leukemia. His mom, Dot, has actually been trying relentlessly to get her insurance company, Great Benefit, to approve a medical treatment that might save the life of her boy. However, the company's cut-throat policy suggests that they reject the claim, arguing that the policy was not suggested to cover 'speculative treatments'. Subsequently, Donny Ray passes away, which reinforces Rudy's willpower to win the case versus Great Benefit, now a wrongful death claim.

Subplot and Romance
As a subplot, Rudy likewise assists an abused wife, Kelly Riker, played by Claire Danes, in getting a divorce from her abusive spouse. The film fleshes out Rudy's character through his interactions with Kelly. Despite the pressure of his ongoing case, he provides to help her pro-bono and safeguards her from her violent partner. Love blossoms in between the 2, adding an unexpected romantic aspect to this legal drama.

Courtroom Drama and Resolution
The climax of the movie happens in the courtroom. Without any previous experience in trial law, Rudy makes a compelling case versus Great Benefit. He exposes their deceptive policy of turning down all claims, hoping that their clients won't question their decisions. The jury guidelines in his favor, approving him an enormous settlement. However, due to the fact that the company declares bankruptcy quickly after, Rudy does not get much compensation apart from the complete satisfaction and the impact of his triumph.

Conclusion
"The Rainmaker" is an engaging assessment of law and corruption within the insurance coverage industry. It follows an underdog story where a young, unskilled legal representative with a sense of justice takes on an effective corporation and effectively exposes their corrupt practices. Nevertheless, the ending is sobering, reflecting the severe truth that legal triumphes do not always guarantee instant financial gain. Rudy eventually leaves law, disappointed by the fracas, and chooses to teach rather, casting a glance back at the often exploitative and disillusioning aspects of the legal field.

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