As this is a nicely made courtroom whodunit, it would be a kindness not to dwell too deeply on its plot. Suffice to say that, despite a central performance by Cher that's only adequate, and a screenplay that definitely does not bear close inspection, director Peter Yates, helped a great deal by Michael Kamen's tense music score, hooks us on to the action throughout. A supreme court justice hands a package to a female court official. Soon after, both are dead, he a suicide, she murdered. A deaf mute vagrant (well played by Liam Neeson) is brought to trial on strong circumstantial evidence. Of course, there's more to it, as his floundering defence counsel discovers, especially when helped out by an inquisitive juror (Dennis Quaid). Just as well, too, for, as written and played, the lady doesn't seem able to prove her way out of a paper bag. Never mind, the continuation of the suspense is the thing. That's where Yates and his lieutenants do a fine job out of making a silks purse out of a sow's ear.

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