The Jury

I really didn't get this movie at first. I'm still not sure I get it. Watching this movie is like looking at a piece of fine art in an art museum. You respond to it and you feel "something," but you're not sure that what you feel is what the artist intended for you to feel. And every person feels something different because we each bring to it our own unique perspective based on our own unique experiences. But at the same time, the nature of the work of art trickles down through our souls and our experiences to shape our own unique reaction to the work of art. In my humble opinion as an artist, "The Jury" is just such a work of art.Upon much reflection, these are my thoughts on this work of art: This miniseries moves at an agonizingly slow pace as each piece of evidence in the trial is presented. Dotted in between each piece of evidence, a lot of time is devoted to exploring the ordinary lives of each of the jurors. We see their hopes, their struggles, their dreams for their own futures, their frustrations and all of their faults and failures. Finally, we see the jurors struggle to make sense out of all the evidence they've been given and make a final decision that could affect another person's life forever. Then the idea hits you: I am one of the Jurors. The slow pace was designed to give me a somewhat authentic jury experience where I'm forced to look at my own prejudices and opinions about other cultures and races. This miniseries was deceptively designed to make me take a good look at myself and decide who I really am and how I want to live my life.I've read the other reviews about this movie -- all very different from my own. All I can tell you is that for me, this wasn't just a miniseries -- it was a deeply personal experience that has and continues to be very thought provoking.I won't get into a discussion of actors, costumes, settings and the like because these things are not really relevant to this particular work of art. The focal point should be determined by the viewer.

The condition that the package arrived in was excellent. As for the movie/show... The story was compelling and riveting, certainly appropriate in today's world. The characters were interesting and developed over the course of the movie. I was intrigued initially because the movie had Gerard Butler in it. I will watch it again and again because the writing and details of the entire show grip you. You are still left at the ending trying to suss out the truth.As for Gerard Butlers performance... too often people overlook his dramatic works in favor of his action movies. This role certainly portrayed how much range and depth the man has. The character is flawed, emotional, and raw at times. All the actors did a great job.

I am a British show fan and this one does not disappoint. In fact since I am a huge fan of Gerard Butler this is such a treat. I know a lot about the law so I was really involved in this story and it went right along the way with how a jury should proceed. Gerry is a lawyer and it was interesting to see how he interacted with the other members of the jury in this case. The life stories of the jury members and how this of course can influence how you work on a jury was also done well in this The Jury. Derek Jacobi does a great job as the lawyer of the prosecuted young man. All in all a very interesting 6 part series.

Everyone is agreed, I think, that the Brits put out great drama. This is no exception. THE JURY is a very interesting ensemble piece - almost a soaper - interweaving the lives of seven of the twelve members of a present-day jury that is hearing a teenage murder case in London's Old Bailey courthouse. Antony Sher (Shakespeare In Love), as coldly calculating and always smiling Prosecuting Attorney Gerald Lewis, is exceptionally riveting. Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius, Gladiator, Gosford Park) gives a warmer, more humane, and often witty performance as Attorney for the Defense, George Cording. Michael Maloney (The Last Place On Earth, Henry V), as high-strung jury foreman Peter Segal, delivers one of the more interesting performances, trying to fend off his ever interfering father-in-law, who is determined to solve the case and influence Peter's vote. Helen McCrory (Anna Karenina, Lucky Jim) as Rose Davies, a woman who is doing jury duty in order to escape a dull and smothering marriage, is also quite interesting, changing her clothes and makeup at the courthouse each day to become a different person from the one she is at home.But the real standout is Gerard Butler (Beowulf And Grendel, Phantom Of The Opera, Dear Frankie) as Johnnie Donne, a recovering alcoholic who has just gotten out of rehab and is unsure if he can emotionally handle a high-profile court case. Halfway through the trial, he finds himself falling in love with Rose, whom he doesn't realize is married, and being punished for it physically by her husband. Things go from bad to worse when Johnnie discovers that Rose is married. But he rises to the occasion in the jury room to convince one of his fellow jurors to cast the deciding vote in the trial. Butler does an exceptional job selling his character and fulfilling all promises in his more emotionally charged scenes. He did this coming off Attila, in which he played the title role - a 180-degree different type character from Johnnie - and one in which he also excelled. Butler was helped in the role of Johnnie by having struggled with alcoholism in his own life, which he readily is willing to discuss.Some viewers may be disappointed by the visual blandness of THE JURY. It does not hold your attention in that regard. As a matter of fact, I was very disappointed when I first saw it, having become used to such visually stunning British dramas as Horatio Hornblower and Pride And Prejudice. However, what it lacks visually, it pretty much makes up for dramatically. I think I was first pulled into the story by the discussion over the blood-drenched shirt of the defendant versus his red school tie. Which was it that the crossing attendant (the "lollypop man") saw? The filmmakers, and the lawyers, handled that question masterfully, and had my respect from that point on.You won't be disappointed. This is a very good series, and, as I said, Gerard Butler is excellent.Waitsel Smith

Delighted - this was to replace my VHS copy now and was at a great price.

The trouble with life is that there are no really happy endings and there are always loose stings. The Jury, thankfully, resists the temptation to make this story easy for the viewer. Cleverly we are made one of the jury, we sit in on the debate, we see the trial from a unique perspective, we get to know the other jurors. This is participatory viewing at it's best. Did he or didn't he ... I know ... will you? The best.

Received on time! Quite a gem to find. I am currently on the hunt for all of Gerard Butlers films and was pleasantly surprised with this. Am emotional ride from start to finish. And yes Gerry was amazing as usual.

A stunning drama exhibiting the current situation in multicultural England produced only as the English can. Riveting is the one word I would use to describe the entire show.