Trial by Jury

This New York courtroom drama crowds its narrative to such a degree that the small matter of characterisation doesn't really stand a chance. Valerie Aston (Whalley-Kilmer) is a single mother and proprietor of an antique clothes shop who finds herself under heavy pressure from mob boss Rusty Pirone (Assante) to stick with a 'not guilty' verdict when the said low-life faces a major murder trial. Prosecutor Graham (Byrne) is hoping to nail his man but unaware of the blackmail going on behind the scenes, while ex-cop Tommy Vesey (Hurt) is the mob gofer trying to ease the young woman into the shakedown, and falling in love in the process. Writer/director Gould never quite finds a way of grounding these people's dilemmas in convincing emotions. Not terrible, just ordinary.