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Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Legal thriller ‘The Rainmaker' is more like a drizzle
(l-r) John Slattery as Leo Drummond and Madison Iseman as Sarah Plankmore in "The Rainmaker." Christopher Barr/USA Network Advertisement Fans of the novel or the movie will recognize the bones of the story, which are unmistakably Grisham. Idealistic law school graduate Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) joins a shady but spunky outfit that specializes in ambulance chasing. The gig leads him to a noble cause, taking on the high-powered, bullying attorney Leo Drummond (John Slattery, best known as Roger Sterling on 'Mad Men') on behalf of a young man who died under medical care. Meanwhile, he comes to the rescue of a young woman (Robyn Cara) with a physically abusive husband. In the new series, the action has shifted from the grit of Memphis to the shimmer of Charleston, SC, a geographical change that seems cosmetic. But that grit is missing in other ways as well. This 'Rainmaker' feels facile and glib, in a hurry with no particular place to go. Rudy now has a girlfriend, Sarah (Madison Iseman), who works for Drummond. They take the bar exam together, and have quick sex during their lunch break. Rudy's boss, Bruiser (played with a wink by Mickey Rourke in the movie), is now a walking collection of brassy femme fatale cliches played by Lana Parrilla. (Sample line: 'I only need three things: Kentucky bourbon, a bloody steak, and a man who won't spend the night'). There's also a psycho nurse, gamely played by theater stalwart Dan Fogler, who kills people as he mutters: 'Don't worry, I'm a nurse.' Advertisement Lana Parrilla as Jocelyn "Bruiser" Stone in "Rainmaker." Jonathan Hession/USA Network In short, the new 'Rainmaker' is sexed up, sped up, and dependent on cheap sensation in place of sturdy storytelling. Nothing wrong with cheap sensation per se; it can be quite fun. But this variety feels focus-grouped to the point of emptiness, and slicker than Slattery's go-for-the-jugular attorney. There's no discernible point of view here, no authorial voice. This void comes down less to showrunner Michael Seitzman than to the realities of churning out a middle-of-the-road cable potboiler in the year 2025. Everything about this jaundiced tale of corruption and opportunism feels safe and telegraphed from a cynical distance. And so we're left with the fleeting pleasures of capable actors saddled with unfortunate dialogue. (More samples: 'I am asking you to be my boyfriend for a moment, and not a lawyer.' And, in case you didn't get the point: 'He may be your boyfriend, but right now he's not your friend'). Among those doing their best are Slattery, who weaves in and out of the action to provide a raised eyebrow or threatening bon mot; and P.J. Byrne, who brings some necessary shamelessness as Bruiser's wonderfully named paralegal Deck Shifflet. Perpetually stuffing his face with something unhealthy, dollar signs in his eyes as he gladhands hospital patients/potential clients, Byrne not only understands the assignment but seems to enjoy every moment of it. Advertisement It's good that someone does. The legal thriller is hardly dead; just last year the old master David E. Kelley breathed new life into THE RAINMAKER Starring Milo Callaghan, Madison Iseman, P.J. Byrne, John Slattery, Lana Parrilla, Dan Fogler, and Robyn Cara. On USA Aug. 15. Chris Vognar can be reached at
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: 'The Rainmaker' trailer reimagines John Grisham novel
June 4 (UPI) -- USA Network is previewing The Rainmaker, a new series that reimagines the 1995 novel by John Grisham. Grisham's book previously inspired Francis Ford Coppola's 1997 film starring Matt Damon and Claire Danes. The upcoming series features Milo Callaghan as Rudy Baylor, Lana Parrilla as Bruiser, John Slattery as Leo Drummond and Madison Iseman as Sarah Plankmore. The trailer shows the fallout of Rudy's firing from Leo Drummond's firm on his first day. He gets another job with Bruiser, but his case pits him against girlfriend Sarah, who works for his former boss. "What happens when Leo finds out that my boyfriend is suing his prized client," Sarah says in the teaser. "...You need to drop this case." "Or what?" he responds. "What is it about this story that keeps drawing people in?" said showrunner Michael Seitzman, referencing the book's multiple adaptations. "Maybe it's the David-and -Goliath legal thriller, the dangerous romance or the coming-of-age story. For me, above all, it's the characters. They jumped off the page in John's book and were a joy to expand upon in our show." P.J. Byrne, Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs and Robyn Cara also star. The series premieres Aug. 15.
UPI
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: 'The Rainmaker' trailer reimagines John Grisham novel
1 of 3 | "The Rainmaker" arrives Aug. 15 on USA Network. Photo courtesy of NBC Universal June 4 (UPI) -- USA Network is previewing The Rainmaker, a new series that reimagines the 1995 novel by John Grisham. Grisham's book previously inspired Francis Ford Coppola's 1997 film starring Matt Damon and Claire Danes. The upcoming series features Milo Callaghan as Rudy Baylor, Lana Parrilla as Bruiser, John Slattery as Leo Drummond and Madison Iseman as Sarah Plankmore. The trailer shows the fallout of Rudy's firing from Leo Drummond's firm on his first day. He gets another job with Bruiser, but his case pits him against girlfriend Sarah, who works for his former boss. "What happens when Leo finds out that my boyfriend is suing his prized client," Sarah says in the teaser. "...You need to drop this case." "Or what?" he responds. "What is it about this story that keeps drawing people in?" said showrunner Michael Seitzman, referencing the book's multiple adaptations. "Maybe it's the David-and -Goliath legal thriller, the dangerous romance or the coming-of-age story. For me, above all, it's the characters. They jumped off the page in John's book and were a joy to expand upon in our show." P.J. Byrne, Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs and Robyn Cara also star. The series premieres Aug. 15.
