Did Rusty Sabich kill Carolyn Polhemus? That’s the query on the coronary heart of Presumed Harmless, a authorized thriller novel by writer Scott Turow. Rusty, who works as a prosecutor, is charged with the homicide of his colleague and mistress. The courtroom, which was Rusty’s sanctuary, transforms into his battleground as he fights to show his innocence.
The primary main adaptation of Turow’s novel debuted in 1990. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, Presumed Harmless is a movie starring Harrison Ford as Rusty. Now, 34 years later, David E. Kelley has tailored Presumed Harmless into an Apple TV+ tv sequence starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty. Each variations have their strengths and weaknesses. Which one is healthier? Let’s study the case and ship the decision.
Word: This text accommodates main spoilers for each the film and TV sequence variations of Presumed Harmless.
Who’s a greater Rusty Sabich: Harrison Ford or Jake Gyllenhaal?
Warner Bros./Apple TV+
Ford and Gyllenhaal are two main males lower from a special fabric. Ford is used to being the hero in each position. You may’t blame him for his heroic mindset, contemplating he’s performed Indiana Jones and Han Solo. Ford performs Rusty with such stoicism and honor that you simply neglect he cheated on his spouse with a co-worker. Ford’s Rusty has a quiet conviction to him — you by no means doubt Rusty’s model of occasions.
Gyllenhaal is the smoother performer. The Street Home star chews up every bit of dialogue given to him. Gyllenhaal’s Rusty is flashy, chaotic, and off the rails. In different phrases, it’s one other instance of Gyllenhaal’s fearlessness as a performer, one who brings depth and swagger. In the event you went into the Apple TV+ sequence with out data of the novel or film, you’d assume Gyllenhaal is responsible due to his determined, obsessive demeanor. It’s a stable efficiency from Gyllenhaal, however not his greatest. In the long run, Ford’s restrained, ambiguous efficiency is better-suited for Rusty.
Winner: Harrison Ford (film)
Who’s a greater Barbara Sabich: Bonnie Bedelia or Ruth Negga?
Warner Bros.
Barbara Sabich is a posh character going through a difficult activity: She has to persuade the viewers that staying with Rusty, regardless of his infidelity, is the correct transfer. All through the film, Bonnie Bedelia’s Barbara by no means even thinks about leaving Rusty’s aspect. Barbara has been lied to, and but, she stays steadfast in desirous to make her marriage work. Understanding how the film ends, Bedelia’s power is her vagueness. She doesn’t sway too removed from the center and by no means ideas her hand.
Ruth Negga’s Barbara is rather more assertive in her interactions with Rusty. She even considers an affair of her personal, although by no means acts on it apart from a kiss. Barbara needs to go away Rusty, however stays by his aspect due to the youngsters. Frankly, Negga doesn’t get as a lot to do as Bedalia. Negga’s greatest scene is all response, conveying shock and horror when she learns in regards to the killer. It’s not as juicy or highly effective as a efficiency as Bedalia’s, whose remaining monologue will ship shivers down your backbone.
Winner: Bonnie Bedelia (film)
Which one has a greater supporting solid: the film or TV present?
Apple
Earlier than we will examine, let’s identify all the key supporting gamers. Within the film, the supporting solid contains Greta Scacchi as Carolyn Polhemus, Rusty’s femme fatale mistress and co-worker; character actor Brian Dennehy as Raymond Horgan, the district legal professional and Rusty’s buddy; The Addams Household‘s Raul Julia as Alejandro “Sandy” Stern, Rusty’s glorious protection legal professional; Paul Winfield as Larren L. Lyttle, the power-hungry decide; The West Wing‘s John Spencer as Detective Dan Lipranzer, one in all Rusty’s solely allies; Joe Grifasi as Tommy Molto, the overzealous lawyer out to nail Rusty; and Tom Mardirosian as Nico Della Guardia, a district legal professional candidate working towards Horgan.
The TV present retains a lot of the similar characters, however adjusts their persona traits. The TV adaptation’s ensemble contains Renate Reinsve as Carolyn Polhemus, Rusty’s mistress and colleague; Invoice Camp as Raymond Horgan, Rusty’s greatest buddy and the district legal professional, who turns into his protection lawyer; O-T Fagbenle as Nico Della Guardia, the district legal professional candidate who tries to sound like Walter Peck from Ghostbusters; Chase Infiniti as Jaden Sabich, Rusty’s teenage daughter; Kingston Rumi Southwick as Kyle Sabich, Rusty’s teenage son; and Peter Sarsgaard as Tommy Molto, Della Guardia’s right-hand man and rival prosecutor to Rusty.
Sarsgaard is by far one of the best piece on both chessboard. Whereas Grifasi’s Molto is a slimy, insecure pipsqueak, Sarsgaard’s Molto is cocky, assured, and a top-notch lawyer. Sarsgaard excels in his scenes within the courtroom, particularly when he calls Rusty to the stand. The present tries to convey Molto because the creepy-jealous kind, however by the point the present ends, he’s the admirable underdog who deserves justice. If Sarsgaard wins the gold, the always-reliable Camp secures the silver. Making Molto and Horgan sq. off within the courtroom was Kelley’s greatest change from the film.
Winner: TV present
Which one has the higher twist ending: the film or TV present?
Warner Bros.
Presumed Harmless lives and dies (actually) with its twist ending. Within the film, Decide Lyttle dismisses the costs on account of lack of proof, making Rusty a free man. At residence in his basement, Rusty discovers a hatchet with hair and blood on it. Shortly after, Barbara arrives, sees the hatchet, and admits to killing Carolyn. Barbara was fed up with the affair and took issues into her personal fingers. Barbara even left sufficient proof on the crime scene to let Rusty comprehend it was her. Nonetheless, Barbara didn’t anticipate Rusty could be charged with the homicide. Rusty feels responsible for his actions, however he chooses to not prosecute Barbara as a result of he needs his son to have a mom.
The TV present deviates from this system dramatically. After receiving a verdict of not responsible, Rusty returns residence to be together with his household. Later that night time, Rusty accuses Barbara of killing Carolyn. On the night time of the homicide, Rusty returned to Carolyn’s condominium after somebody killed her. Understanding he’d be the highest suspect, Rusty manipulated the crime scene to make it appear to be another person did it. Regardless of Barbara’s denial, Rusty is adamant she killed Carolyn as a result of he tracked her automotive when the homicide weapon was planted in Molto’s condominium. That’s when Jaden walks into the room and admits to killing Carolyn with a hearth poker. Jaden planted the proof at Molto’s condominium to scare him. Rusty tells Jaden and Barbara that they may by no means talk about this once more, they usually transfer on with their lives.
The tv ending is simply too far-fetched. No seeds have been planted to recommend Jaden was the killer. If any of the youngsters have been to kill Carolyn, it ought to have been Kyle since he was noticed on a digital camera at her home. Rusty altering the crime scene for Barbara would have been a satisfying sufficient twist. Including Jaden into the combination was overkill. In Pakula’s film, the ending is extraordinarily harrowing due to Bedelia’s haunting monologue. Seeing Ford’s tearful response as Bedelia tries to justify her actions is the higher and extra surprising ending.
Winner: Film
Verdict
Warner Bros.
In the long run, the film is the superior adaptation. Whereas the TV present is stable, the unbelievable ending was a bridge too far. The present additionally misplaced power every time it wasn’t within the courtroom. Nonetheless, the Apple TV+ adaptation is extraordinarily watchable and pleasurable. Nonetheless, the film reigns supreme. It’s a decent, compact story with a compelling efficiency from Ford and a memorable twist ending.
General Winner: Presumed Harmless (film)
Purchase or lease Presumed Harmless (film) on AppleTV+, Prime Video, Google, or YouTube. Stream Presumed Harmless (TV present) on Apple TV+.
