High Crimes MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2

Claire Kubik (Ashley Judd), a high-profile San Francisco lawyer, knows all the tricks. But shes in unfamiliar territory when she discovers her husband, Tom (Jim Caviezel), is really a fugitive from military justice. Accused of the cold-blooded massacre of San Salvadoran civilians in a covert military operation, Tom faces the death penalty. Since military law and civilian law play be different rules, Claire seeks help from Charlie Grimes (Morgan Freeman), a former military lawyer with a history of winning cases, but also a history of hitting the bottle. Claire and Charlie discover that the truth lies somewhere in the middle of a covert operation cover-up. And things are not always what they seem. Although somewhat predicable, the plot unwinds with a few surprises but Freeman and Judd play off each other well. Fans of Perry Mason wont be disappointed and the star power should have plenty of box office pull.

However right or wrong, the story follows a tradition of painting government and military operations as awash in cover-ups and secretive associations that must be uncovered by civilians for justice to be served. Fans of the TV series JAG get a better glimpse into the workings of the military law system, but the film is right that it operates differently from civilian courts. Scenes of the shootings and dead bodies in San Salvador are disturbing but not overly graphic. Although a reformed alcoholic, Charlie falls off the wagon to get information and slides heavily into the bottle. His drunkenness is not condoned, however, drinking by other characters is accepted. One scene takes place in a strip bar, but mostly the legs of the dancers are shown. One scene in a hotel room shows prostitutes in their underwear and later, Claires sister (Amanda Peet) is shown wearing little more than a military jacket. Both scenes imply sexual relations as does an early scene between Claire and Tom undressing while discussing the best way to get pregnant. The major disappointment, as is too often the case, is vocabulary that includes many obscenities and some strong profanity. However, no f-words are heard. Vulgar dialogue and sexual content earns a guilty verdict for HIGH CRIMES.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90035