Fabrice Andrivon’s review: “Juror No. 2”, the return of Clint Eastwood in great form

We couldn’t believe it, as Eastwood is approaching canonical age and his last films were so unsuccessful; So it’s a miracle: here he is again in great shape. At 94, he offers us Juror #2 and it is a film of superior elegance. As always, we are delighted with his formal conservatism as much as his 100% American moralism.

Possessing the classic grammar of cinema at his fingertips, he doesn’t take pleasure in showing it off: we feel that he only uses three or four figures of speech and that they are rather carried on the spot -reverse shot or the slight discreet cropping as on the acrobatics.

But that’s what we like about him: his lack of formality is an elegance. We are in front Juror #2 like in front of your fireplace with a good blanket, ready to let yourself be told a story. And he has an excellent story, if we accept the somewhat improbable premise.

Elegance

Here are two breathtaking hours, full of suspense and containing their dose of ethical questioning and moral dilemmas. In a precise montage, which culminates with a last brilliantly cut scene, Eastwood tells his story, visibly as much amused as tormented by the difficult choices he makes on his hero.

At the same time thriller, trial film, melodrama and portrait of strong characters, Juror #2 follows each other passionately, without any downtime. It shows a filmmaker absolutely steeped in justice, passionate about equality between men, led by flawless morality: we are stunned to discover that Clint still had that under his hat. Looking forward to the next one.