The Chamber

Name: The Chamber
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: October 11, 1996
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 45
Cast: Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman

1996

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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The Chamber

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: October 11, 1996 | R

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 worksO'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

Director: James Foley

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 113 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson

Delivers the entertaining goods without fuss or frills. Read full review

Barbara Shulgasser

Hackman is, as ever, a master performer, an actor at the peak of his powers. However, he can't carry the whole movie. Read full review

Rita Kempley

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." Read full review

Mike Clark

The Chamber merits some respect for daring to be gloomy, for facing the capital punishment issue head-on and for the quality of Gene Hackman's performance. [11 October 1996, p.1D]

David Sterritt

Hackman gives a powerful performance as the killer, and the storytelling is often gripping. But the film contains much extremely offensive language and gratuitous depictions of violence, some of it aimed at children, not needed to get the plot across. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

The Chamber is like a balloon that all the air has leaked out of. Maybe it wasn't magnificent before, but in its current state it is sad indeed. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

The Chamber has nowhere to go and it goes there slowly, flirting in all directions. Read full review

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User Reviews

RegOz

Apr 5, 2012

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!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CapoRegime

Oct 14, 2009

Not as intense as the other Grisham based films. Thumbs up to Hackman, only to him.

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82	#82 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
79	#79 Most Shared Movie of 1996