The Pelican Brief Essay, Research Paper

Politics: The Pelican Breif

Masking his voice and dressed in a disguise, the assassin carried out his orders. He murdered two Supreme Court judges, and escaped without a trace. No one in Washington could figure out who would kill these two respected men. It took a graduate student from Tulane to change the question from whom to why for the case to be solved. The student named Darby Shaw realized both judges were complete opposites on the political spectrum, except in issues involving the environment. They were both strong supporters of environmental conservation. Shaw did research and uncovered that an oil tycoon named Victor Matece had plans to harvest oil near an environmentally protected marsh in Louisiana. His efforts were halted by an environmental group called Green Peace and the case went to the highest court in the land. Miss Shaw also accused Matece of removing opposition to his cause with the plan of buying off the judges that would be the replacements. All this had to happen while the current president was in office, because Matece was the largest contributor to his presidential campaign. Matece was entitled to a few favors. This statement accused the president of doing wrong and could have ended his entire political career. Her theory got into the wrong hands and soon those who read the file began to drop like flies. Darby Shaw only survived the ordeal through intelligent thinking, and the help of a newspaper reporter with whom she becomes a close friend. The name of Miss Shaw’s file was the “The Pelican Brief,” this title is also the one given to the movie that has this believable plot.

The reporter, who befriends Darby Shaw, goes through a change from being only concerned with his story to showing compassion for his young associate. The reporter, named Grantham becomes sympathetic as the movie progressed. He learned to put his emotions into the friendship, rather that just into his newspaper articles. It is because of his help that Miss Shaw survived the several attempts to have her and her brief eliminated. It is because of his compassion for his friend that Grantham is not considered an archetype for the media generally, but rather more sympathetic and kind.

The President in this film is an accurate depiction of an actual United States President. He is portrayed as being very “human”. He enjoys the simple things in life, which is shown by the way that he plays with his pet dog. In fact he appears to be a bit absent-minded. None the less he is obviously a tremendous politician and ruthless advisors aid him along the way. His top aid is completely, one hundred percent all business. Its is him who, in a desperate attempt to save his own job, has those who know about the brief killed. He does all the dirty work and leaves the President to teach his dog to roll over.

At this time in America when politicians are known for their greed and deception, I think this film adds to influence America’s distrust. The plot is believable and makes people think that something similar to it could actually happen. Movies like the “The Pelican Brief” make people think about real politicians doing what the characters in the movie have done, and soon it just adds to their suspicions of real politicians.

“The Pelican Brief” is a believable depiction of a political scandal involving greed, murder, and suspense. It is an accurate portrayal of a possible real story. All the characters, including the president and his advisors have believable roles. It is because of this that this film aids Americans misgivings about politicians. In conclusion, I feel that while this film is neither great film-making nor great political theory it is worthwhile because it makes the viewer think about real life, rather than just another attempt entertain during a feast of popcorn and soft drinks.