1993 ‘Masterpiece’ starring Tom Cruise arrives on Netflix | Films | Entertainment

A “masterpiece” legal thriller movie starring Tom Cruise is streaming now in the UK. The Firm (1993) focuses on Mitch McDeere (Cruise), a young Harvard Law graduate who gets a job at a seemingly prestigious law firm.

But Mitch quickly realises that behind the facade is a cesspit of criminal ties that threaten to ensnare him. As he learns the extent of the corruption, the young lawyer is determined to expose the whole operation, but doesn’t know whom he can trust. The cast also includes Gene Hackman, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Hal Holbrook, and David Strathairn. It was directed by Sydney Pollack from a screenplay by David Rabe, Robert Towne, and David Rayfiel, and based on John Grisham’s 1991 novel of the same name.

Fans have taken to IMDb to shower the film with praise. One gave it a perfect score, hailing it as a “masterpiece”. “Riveting from beginning to the end,” they wrote.

“Just cutting edge suspense that just wont stop and keeps building tension up and up until the very end. What a magnificent thrilling story.”

Another said: “Tom Cruise is definitely the right man to lead the story along, making it compelling the entire way through and keeping the viewer on his side.

“Most of the cast is quite good, but I want to highlight Ed Harris who steals every one of his scenes.”

A third called the film “flawed but fun”, saying: “The firm has a lot going on. It easily could be a 2 part film but it takes the task on in a 150 minute film. I think we need to give credit to where it’s due on this film.

“They keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole movie and it’s just fun. Sure it has issues with lack of explanation. Things like Tom cruise seeming to have 72 hours to do things in a 24 hour day. But suspend some disbelief and just enjoy.”

A fourth said that while it “may not be quite as good as other John Grisham adaptations, The Rainmaker, in particular,” The Firm’s “complex and fascinating plot, as well as good direction and acting, makes it way above average”.

A fifth added: “A thoroughly compelling film from beginning to end. The finale of the film is quite a bit different than the novel, but I somewhat preferred the ending of the film to that of the book.”

The film has a 15 certificate.

The Firm was added to Netflix in the UK on Friday, July 17. It’s also available to stream, rent, or buy on other platforms.