BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Leofwine_draca This watchable "wrong man" drama is probably the highlight of Tom Selleck's less than impressive movie career. Okay, so prison movies are ten-a-penny these days but this one is well made and has some unpleasant moments to stop it becoming just another television-made movie-of-the-week. Tom Selleck is a likable, lightweight lead who you actually care about and his various obstacles in prison - while admittedly clichéd - are quite frightening. From the bullying racists to the rapes in the showers and the wise old inmates (an excellent turn from F. Murray Abraham), everything is present and correct here. One moment has Selleck taking on a chief opponent as he plans to knife him in the toilets and is totally gripping.Outside of prison, things are less interesting, with a worthy but unmemorable actress playing Selleck's girlfriend who sticks by him through thick and thin. The introduction of two corrupt cops, a kind of 'bad' Starsky and Hutch if you will, sets the sense for an implausible climax which sees Selleck suddenly become a fearless action man and do lots of stunts. Cool, but hardly believable. Overall, AN INNOCENT MAN is a fine thriller with a good central premise and an adequate execution - and it makes a nice evening's family entertainment.

Geoffrey DeLeons This film shows some of the unspoken truths about the U.S. criminal justice system, as well as the horrors of state prison. We probably would be shocked to learn just how many innocent people are in prison, many for life.We would probably be equally shocked to find out who, in the judicial system, knows just who these innocent people are. This is an extremely important issue in contemporary culture, and one that many, including myself, are afraid to talk about or to get too close to. While An Innocent Man, and Tom Selleck, both, do an admirable job in exposing how this can happen to any one of us and what we would have to do to survive, I detracted one star because it depicts a scenario only about 1/3 as horrible as real life in state prison: In real life, Jimmie Rainwood would have had multiple, simultaneous enemies, not just one. As soon as he killed one, another would have appeared. The rapes and murders in the prison were accurate and realistic. Selleck did a great job of sounding not-totally-convinced of the truth of his words when he told his visiting wife "I can handle this place. I can". While this is an extremely important film, sociologically speaking, I must remind the readers of this review of the day-to-day torture, beatings, murders, rapes, suicides, solitary confinement, deprivation, mental breakdowns and thick atmosphere of evil and insanity permeating and pervading state prison.An Innocent Man approaches these subjects, as well as the critical issue of innocent people being sent to prison by a corrupt institution, too rigid and unethical to admit its mistakes and shortcomings. For this rare and courageous look, I am grateful.

Richie-67-485852 Riveting entertainment of someone accused of a crime that they didn't commit and how the system can be tainted or shuffled against you on a whim. The shocking part is there is nothing you can do about it. I suppose that is why it takes 13 years to execute someone in this country too. We want to be sure before we take a life. Good story, acting and plausible more times than not. The characters draw you in and you either hate them or root for them, but sitting still is not an option with your emotions in full play. This movie activates the emotions. There are plot holes, but we trade them for the raw adventure to be found in watching the movie and joining the characters. There are 4 movies that depict life in prison accurately. 1. American Me 2. Blood In Blood Out 3. The Glass House and this one. If you want to scare someone straight, there is the line-up to remind them to behave them selves now or fight for your life later. This movie also reminds us of how power and money can rule and how we end up serving those things. Then, they finish us off all the worst for it. Catch this movie without interruptions, have a snack ready, and be entertained. I did a bowl of home made double roasted sunflower seeds. I recommend this over biting your nails or smoking to relieve the tension found in this movie at times...Bon Voyage

gcd70 Pure revenge film all the way is this drama from the pen of Larry Brothers which tried to be a serious movie about the prevailing of justice when "An Innocent Man" (Tom Selleck) is framed by a pair of corrupt narcotics detectives.Peter Yates never stood a chance of making this a film with a message due to its obvious direction, conclusion and its total lack of life's ever present ambiguities. Tom Selleck's character is just too pure and righteous, and his loving wife is far too good for words, while the bad guys are just so, so bad it's annoying. F. Murray Abraham is probably the only slightly believable, and enjoyable, character, as he doesn't mind helping out a friend, yet we know he has a dark past. An agreeable showing from the one time Academy Award winner.This is the only highlight though in what is essentially a two dimensional movie lacking completely in originality. Howard Shore's surprisingly below par score is also a let down. Recommended just for audiences who either love Tom Selleck or love seeing the nasties get their comeuppance.Thursday, August 25, 1994 - T.V.