The Rainmaker is a 1997 American legal drama film written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on John Grisham's 1995 novel of the same name. The film stars Matt Damon as Rudy Baylor, a young and ambitious lawyer who has just graduated from the University of Memphis Law School. Unlike many of his peers, Rudy lacks high-paying job prospects due to his lack of family connections, forcing him to work as a waiter and later join the Memphis-based law firm of J. Lyman "Bruiser" Stone (Mickey Rourke), a ruthless but successful personal injury lawyer.
Rudy is introduced to Deck Shifflet (Danny DeVito), a resourceful paralegal who has failed the bar exam multiple times but possesses valuable knowledge of the insurance industry. Bruiser's firm operates on a contingency basis, where associates are paid only if they successfully bring in cases. Rudy becomes involved in a high-stakes insurance bad faith case concerning a terminally ill young man named Donny Ray Black, whose family's insurance claim was denied by Great Benefit. Despite facing opposition from experienced defense attorney Leo F. Drummond (Jon Voight), Rudy's determination and Deck's expertise help him navigate the complexities of the case.
While working on the case, Rudy meets Kelly Riker (Claire Danes), a battered wife he encounters at the hospital. He helps her file for divorce and becomes romantically involved with her. However, their relationship is complicated by Kelly's violent husband, Cliff (Andrew Shue), leading to a dramatic confrontation that ends in Cliff's death. The district attorney declines to prosecute Kelly, citing her history of abuse and the likelihood of a self-defense acquittal.
The film culminates in a dramatic courtroom battle where Rudy skillfully cross-examines Great Benefit's CEO, Wilfred Keeley (Roy Scheider), leading to a significant victory for the Black family. Although Great Benefit declares bankruptcy to avoid paying damages, the case's outcome brings closure for the grieving family and marks a triumph for Rudy and Deck. Ultimately, Rudy decides to leave the legal profession, choosing instead to teach law and focus on ethical practices. He leaves town with Kelly, seeking a quieter life away from the legal world.
The Rainmaker received mixed reviews, with some praising the performances and others finding the plot predictable and lacking in nuance7. Despite this, the film remains a notable adaptation of Grisham's work, exploring themes of justice, morality, and personal redemption