Presumed Innocent review: Jake Gyllenhaal finds his ideal character

In 1990, one of the most unexpected hits of the summer was Presumed innocent, a thriller in which Alan J. Pakula showed off his best skills. Based on the novel by Scott Turow, the story follows Chicago prosecutor Rosat Sabic (Harrison Ford) as he investigates the murder of a woman. The problem was that the victim was his mistress, and all the evidence pointed to him killing her, although, of course, he didn’t. This turned the potential trial into a race against time as Rusty tried to get himself to prison.

Although the film was well received by the public, it had to face accusations of misogyny and sexism. It’s because of the way the female characters are shown. In particular, the way the script disqualified the victim, Caroline Polemus (Greta Scacchi), for his sex life.

The above has been a source of debate, and it’s clear that it has something to do with how the new Apple TV+ series of the same name, which tells the same story, analyzes its characters. In fact, with eight chapters, Presumed innocent he is more interested in solving the mystery of Caroline’s death (now played by Renata Reinsve). And so it affects everyone around her. Also different alternatives to the identity of the killer.

A complex crime and an obvious culprit

Like the book and film adaptation, the script by David E. Kelley, who also serves as producer, follows Chicago Assistant District Attorney Rusty Subic. However, the character played by Jake Gyllenhaal is more three-dimensional than the one Ford played back then. This is because the plot gives it enough depth. so his chaotic professional and personal life carries ample weight in the story.

So when this ambitious professional is faced with the murder of his colleague and secret lover, he will have to try not to be blamed for her death. And this despite the fact that his alleged guilt is becoming increasingly obvious. The series plays with the idea that its main character has so many dark moments that the possibility of him committing murder is quite possible and close. Which gives the story the opportunity to gradually unravel the mystery. And do it slowly forced or, in any case, obvious.

One of the best points Presumed innocent, is that the investigation into Caroline’s murder is a mystery in itself. Rusty’s colleague dies under circumstances that are gradually revealed. At the same time, it is analyzed with such intelligence that the argument does not need to emphasize its ideas so that they are clear on the first reading. The character was the victim of a brutal event of a brutal nature, but the plot does not define her to the audience and investigators. So from the very beginning It’s logical to assume that the whole staging around Caroline’s corpse is hiding something.

A case that points in only one direction

But Presumed innocent he deftly tries to lay out the pieces of his puzzle on the table. To begin with, Rusty is a person who makes bad decisions and tries to maintain balance as best he can. So the production begins by showing him in his house. And this is in the company of his children Jaden (Chase Infinity) and Kyle (Kingston Rumi Southwick), which suggests that his life is as ordinary as it can be. It’s a coup d’état because this will be pretty much the only quiet moment the series will have from now on.

Without plot details, Rusty receives a call about Caroline’s death and, after explaining what happened to his wife Barbara (Ruth Negga), he runs to the crime scene. The gap between the visible family world and his secret life (Carolyn is his lover) will gradually become the center of the plot. Especially when this vision of a crime is much more than it seems.surrounds it with a set of signs designed to surround it and point to it.

Only Rusty, despite his erratic behavior and nasty secrets, is not a killer. The show is brave enough to leave questions, and in the first two episodes it has already cleared up some things. This deceitful prosecutor, who has no problem hiding, deceiving, and having ulterior motives, may end up guilty. But in reality, Carolyn’s crime is more complex than one might assume.

An excellent thriller for fans of the genre.

Gradually, Presumed innocent reveals that everything that moves between the crime scene and Rusty’s actions leads to an unpredictable place. Only they may not be the same versions, so the parallel investigation of the prosecutor, which concerns to find out who the killer is before he’s charged – he’s wandering around all over the place.

Smart and with a personality that Gyllenhaal portrays somewhere between manic and desperate, Presumed innocent This thriller well told, which leads the viewer to their own conclusions. That they may or may not be true. The real, in any case, is something very concrete. Rusty is going to try to get rid of a charge that could land him in prison. What’s not very clear is the reason why he does this.