The Rainmaker (1997) movie poster

The Rainmaker (1997)

"They were totally unqualified to try the case of a lifetime... but every underdog has his day."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 71%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 77% (RT: 82%, MC: 72) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
DramaCrimeThriller

Where to Watch

Free
Pluto TV
Streaming
Prime VideoParamount+HuluRoku ChannelfuboTVSling TVYouTube TV
Rent / Buy
Google PlayApple TVFandango at Home
See all watch options on JustWatch
Runtime
2h 15m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.0/10 (1,442 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
Metacritic
72
Cast
Matt Damon as Rudy Baylor
Claire Danes as Kelly Riker
Danny DeVito as Deck Shifflet
Jon Voight as Leo F. Drummond
Mary Kay Place as Dot Black
Dean Stockwell as Judge Harvey Hale
Mickey Rourke as Bruiser Stone
Danny Glover as Richter Tyrone Kipler
Most people think so. 71% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,442 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 77%.
Overview
Fresh out of law school and desperate for work, idealistic rookie Rudy Baylor takes on a powerful insurance company accused of denying a dying boyโ€™s claim. Teaming up with a scrappy, unlicensed paralegal, he finds himself in a David-versus-Goliath courtroom battle that tests his ethics, courage, and belief in justice. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • The initial cut of The Rainmaker was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • Francis Ford Coppola cited several classic drama films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
Audience Consensus

The Rainmaker is a 1997 drama, crime, thriller film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Fresh out of law school and desperate for work, idealistic rookie Rudy Baylor takes on a powerful insurance company accused of denying a dying boyโ€™s claim. Teaming up with a scrappy, unlicensed paralegal, he finds himself in a David-versus-Goliath courtroom battle that tests his ethics, courage, and belief in justice.

The film has been rated by 1,442 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a drama film, The Rainmaker delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences.

The Rainmaker (1997) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

Movies You Might Like
r/

What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 364💬 76 comments
The Rainmaker: Before he became a star, Matt Damon joined Francis Ford Coppola to make the best John Grisham movie
Top comment: "Itโ€™s a good movie but The Firm is the best John Grisham movie. A Time to Kill and The Pelican..."
r/iwatchedanoldmovie
⬆ 110💬 26 comments
โ€œThe Rainmakerโ€ (1997)
A young Matt Damon heads up a stacked cast in my favorite adaptation of a John Grisham novel, โ€œThe Rainmakerโ€. Rudy Baylor has just graduated law... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "Always liked this, a solid film."
r/iwatchedanoldmovie
⬆ 110💬 25 comments
The Rainmaker (1997)
I watched this recently as I've been on a bit of a legal drama binge and WOW! It's based on a book of the same name by John Grisham. Incredible movie... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "Danny DeVito .. low key longevity of stellar career opposite many of the biggest stars Hollywood..."
← Browse All Movies | Free Movies | Best Movies | New Releases
💬 Feedback