X
  • 1996
  • R
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 53 m
  • 1996
  • R
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 53 m

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 ...

Directed By: James Foley

Written By: John Grisham, William Goldman, Phil Alden Robinson

  • 1996
  • R
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 53 m
  • 1996
  • R
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 53 m

The Chamber

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings
7.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

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 ...

Directed By: James Foley

Written By: John Grisham, William Goldman, Phil Alden Robinson

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
17% Positive
3 Reviews
78% Mixed
14 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
17% Positive
3 Reviews
78% Mixed
14 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
70
An intelligently proficient movie that works more effectively as a family drama than a legal thriller.
By Emanuel Levy FULL REVIEW
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."
By Rita Kempley FULL REVIEW
50
The Chamber goes so far toward humanizing bigotry it ends up sentimentalizing it.
By Owen Gleiberman FULL REVIEW
50
Timing does no favors for The Chamber, the John Grisham death row drama that arrives on the heels of a better death row film (''Dead Man Walking'') and a better Grisham adaptation (''A Time to Kill''). But this film's also-ran aspects are partly offset by Gene Hackman's superlative performance.
By Janet Maslin FULL REVIEW
50
The films portray the Klan as criminal, racist and anonymous, but those have always been its selling points; it is not portrayed as boring and stupid.
By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW
40
Material so bereft of plot and insight that all it can provide is actorly turns with no cogent means for tying them together.
By Jonathan Rosenbaum FULL REVIEW
25
The Chamber has nowhere to go and it goes there slowly, flirting in all directions.
By Mick LaSalle FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings
7.1
53% Positive
9 Ratings
47% Mixed
8 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings
7.1
53% Positive
9 Ratings
47% Mixed
8 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Davis Entertainment
Release Date Oct 11, 1996
Duration 1 h 53 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Time is running out.
View All Details

Awards

Razzie Awards
• 1 Nomination
The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
• 1 Nomination

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