Presumed
Innocent
is a 1990 film that stars Harrison Ford as Rusty Sabich, who is
accused of murdering a colleague of his. The reason for this is
because there has been undisputed evidence against him that directly
point to him as the perp. Rusty Sabich claims he has been framed and
begins to investigate the crime to prove his own innocence.
Throughout the movie it isn't clear whether or not Sabich is not
guilty until the very end where it is revealed, his wife is the one
who has committed the crime and planned to frame him for it.
The
first scene that shows Sabich himself and the people around him may
be in risky business is when his boss admits he has had sexual
relations with Caroline the “rape victim” in his first case.
After they exit the building down the stairs and have a couple more
words. The lighting in the room is very dark and some of the last
words spoken of Rusty were “Let's just see what the future holds”
this is very much foreshadowing cause for Rusty the worst was yet to
come.
The
second scene that brings Sabich’s innocence into doubt is the scene
that features him being accused. Sabich is very surprised at the
accusation and begins to even doubt himself, his innocence has become
into question to him also. Sabich next actions didn't help his case
as he verbally attacks the person who has confirmed he is the one who
in fact committed the murder. Sabich is seen as larger than every
other thing in this scene which aims to make him look inferior to
everything. The camera shot has done this, the angle of the shot
looks up at Sabich as he continues to go off.
After
Sabich is found innocent, he finds the weapon used in the crime in
his household. Sabich examines the weapon and proceeds to enter the
house, this was a very costly mistake that could very well prove that
he is guilty. The tight frame focused on his face also reveals this
conclusion. I would call the lighting in the scene is fairly dark
which could make the audience believe that Sabich has hid the weapon
and committed the crime.
I think you made some very good points about presumed innocent. Rusty is hoping for the worst, and even though the audience doesn't sense any real motive for Rusty to murder Carolyn, there is this weird obsession that keeps presenting itself in the film. Throughout the film as well, corruption impedes any type of real progress in the trial and in the end there is not much surprise when the charges are dismissed. I think you make a very good point when Rusty finds the murder weapon he looks extremely guilty, more than when he is on trial. Firstly because of the mise en scene, he is darkly lit, and he proceeds to clean the murder weapon. I think that the ending is a good twist, because it shows a final motive for the murder. However, I feel like there could have been a little bit more exposition on showing the truth of the matter, rather than such a focus on the corruption of the system. The ending helps to prove how ineffective the justice system is.
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