Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

  • Starring: Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman
  • Summary: O'Donnell stars as idealistic young attorney Adam Hall who takes on the death row clemency case of his onetime Klansman grandfather, Sam Cayhall (Hackman). With just 28 days before the execution, Adam sets out to retrace the events leading to the crime for which Sam was convicted. As the impending death sentence looms closer, Adam works quickly to uncover the family's history for any hidden clues. In a white-knuckle series of twists and turns, Adam discovers deceptions and dark secrets that ultimately lead him to the startling truth. (Universal Pictures) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 18
  2. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Reviewed by: Emanuel Levy
    70
    An intelligently proficient movie that works more effectively as a family drama than a legal thriller.
  2. 60
    Though it lacks the gloss, twists and star power of earlier Grisham movies, The Chamber does possess Gene Hackman's most cantankerous turn since the lowdown lawman he created in "Unforgiven."
  3. Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    60
    The usual John Grisham legal hokum, tranformed by director James Foley into surprisingly grim and affecting stuff.
  4. The Chamber has nowhere to go and it goes there slowly, flirting in all directions.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. 6
    Not bad, not great, a 6.5 at most, not a 7, so I guess I will just put 6..but yeah, I would watch it again...a few more times, but never more than once a year! Expand
  2. CapoRegime
    5
    Not as intense as the other Grisham based films. Thumbs up to Hackman, only to him.

See all 3 User Reviews

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