A different way of telling a story

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

I distinctly remember going to see this in the cinema with a group of friends. I did not want to watch this as I knew it had got bad reviews but they won the vote so I had to go with them.I also remember leaving the cinema after it ended almost in tears having realised that Sidney Lumet was reduced to directing this garbage. If I had a mobile phone in those days I would had probably called the Samaritans in the middle of the film.Rebecca De Mornay plays a hot shot, win at all costs criminal defence lawyer who likes to win even for the most unlikeable and presumably guilty clients.Don Johnson is the latest slimy client who wants her to defend him for killing his rich wife. Johnson is a ladies man with an unsavoury past and De Mornay doubts him and may have put herself in danger.The film is rubbish. Lumet must have gone to Las Vegas and lost big in the casinos or a family member was ill and he needed to pay huge medical bills and therefore he needed money very badly. This is one of the best directors not to have won a Directing Oscar and you can never get over the realisation that a great talent is behind this film.This movie is badly written, badly acted, badly made. Its actually tortuous viewing.

In Chicago, beautiful blue-eyed defense attorney Rebecca De Mornay (as Jennifer "Jen" Haines) celebrates a courtroom victory by stripping to her tight underwear and arousing boyfriend Stephen Lang (as Philip "Phil" Garson). Looking very sexy, Ms. De Mornay wins another round. Another handsome man, gigolo Don Johnson (as David Edgar Greenhill), is also interested in De Mornay. Accused of throwing his wealthy wife to her death from a window, Mr. Johnson has decided De Mornay is just the woman to get him off...This slick thriller exemplifies adept direction by Sidney Lumet, photography by Andrzej Bartkowiak and editing by Evan Lottman. The landscape includes some beautifully presented apartments, office buildings and parking structures. Much of the story is involving, but therein are some fault lines. An interesting mix of clichés and surprises doesn't mix entirely well. Good is stock character Jack Warden (as Moe), who runs a familiar course. Bad are a couple of plot developments which nonsensically undermine the proceedings.****** Guilty as Sin (6/4/93) Sidney Lumet ~ Rebecca De Mornay, Don Johnson, Jack Warden, Stephen Lang

"Guilty As Sin" is an entertaining courtroom drama with a plot which is very reminiscent of "Jagged Edge". In this story, however, it's the interaction between a defence lawyer and her client that provides the most interesting moments as both parties are very successful at what they do as well as being extremely ruthless. They both share a powerful determination to be winners and it's this compulsion that leads them both, at different times, to take actions which they know to be ill judged and reckless.Jennifer Haines (Rebecca DeMornay), a young criminal lawyer who's made quick progress to the top of her profession, is on a high after winning her latest court case when she's approached by David Greenhill (Don Johnson). Greenhill's a suave ladies' man who's been accused of murdering his rich wife by throwing her out of the window of their apartment and he wants Haines to represent him. At first she doesn't want to take the case but gradually she starts to find him interesting and convinces her superiors that she'd enjoy the challenge of defending Greenhill in what is guaranteed to be a high profile trial.Soon after agreeing to defend her new client, his behaviour becomes more threatening, he starts to get involved in her personal life and also Haines' private investigator, Moe (Jack Warden) begins to uncover some information about Greenhill's past which makes her believe that he is guilty of his wife's murder. Her attempts to drop her client are blocked by a judge and her professional obligations to respect attorney/client confidentiality prevent her from being able to use what she knows against him. With no legal or orthodox way out of her predicament, Haines plants some incriminating evidence in Greenhill's apartment. He immediately guesses that she's responsible and responds by taking some equally unscrupulous action to provide some compelling proof of his innocence.After the trial, Haines and Greenhill continue to play their dangerous mind games right up until the movie's violent denouement.At the outset, both Haines and Greenhill are very confident people but during their association, the psychological battles in which they indulge lead to Haines becoming more and more intimidated, especially when she starts to believe that her own life might be in danger.Rebecca DeMornay portrays Jennifer Haines' courtroom swagger and her addiction to the thrill of winning with the same ability she brings to conveying her growing uncertainty and fear as she realises that she's bitten off more than she can chew and is powerless to put things right.Don Johnson clearly revels in his role as the smarmy gigolo who's arrogant and very dangerous. His transparently insincere charm and his psychopathic behaviour make him a despicable villain who is nevertheless, amusing to watch. Jack Warden also provides good support as Haines' trusted old friend and adviser."Guilty As Sin" isn't highly original or the type of movie that garners great accolades from the critics, however, for pure entertainment, it fits the bill nicely.

**SPOILERS THROUGHOUT THE REVIEW** High powered attorney Jennifer Haines (Rebecca DeMorany) is seduced by handsome, smooth (and obviously sociopathic) David Greenhill (Don Johnson) into defending him over a charge that he killed his wife. As she gets to know him she discovers that he DID kill his wife and is slowly destroying her life. She gets old friend Moe (Jack Warden is wasted) to help her but David isn't above killing to get his way.It starts off good with great acting by DeMornay and Johnson but the story gets sillier as the movie goes on. Some VERY questionable legal technicalities are bought up and DeMorany goes to truly ridiculous lengths to get Johnson convicted WHILE she's defending him! Also there are huge loopholes in the script and DeMornay overreacts (and overacts) when she realizes what's going on. Seriously, wouldn't an intelligent attorney like her see that Greenhill is a raging sociopath AND extremely dangerous? Still all the acting is good and it leads up to a bloody and satisfying conclusion. I give this a 6 but (unless you're a fan of any of the stars) you're not missing anything. I originally saw it back in 1993 in a theatre and I wasn't thrilled with it then either.