The Client (1994), directed by Joel Schumacher and based on John Grisham’s best-selling novel, is a compelling legal thriller that combines suspense, drama, and heartfelt performances. Featuring Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, and Brad Renfro in a standout debut, the film tells the gripping story of a young boy who becomes entangled in a dangerous legal and criminal web after witnessing a shocking event.

The story begins in Memphis, Tennessee, where eleven-year-old Mark Sway (Brad Renfro) and his younger brother Ricky stumble upon a lawyer, Jerome Clifford, attempting suicide in his car. Before taking his own life, Clifford reveals to Mark a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly secret: the location of the body of a murdered U.S. senator. This information links Clifford’s mob-affiliated client, Barry Muldano (Anthony LaPaglia), to the crime. Mark’s accidental knowledge places him in the crosshairs of both the mafia and ambitious federal prosecutors.

Caught between the mob’s threats and the relentless pursuit of U.S. Attorney Roy Foltrigg (Tommy Lee Jones), Mark realizes he needs help. Enter Reggie Love (Susan Sarandon), an inexperienced but fiercely determined lawyer with a troubled past. Reggie takes Mark’s case and becomes his protector, navigating the legal complexities and imminent dangers surrounding him. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the film, as Reggie’s compᴀssion and resilience help Mark face the overwhelming situation he finds himself in.

Brad Renfro, in his debut role, delivers a remarkable performance as Mark Sway, capturing the street-smart wit and vulnerability of a boy forced to grow up too soon. Renfro’s portrayal gives the film its emotional depth, making Mark’s struggles and courage deeply relatable. Susan Sarandon is equally compelling as Reggie Love, whose personal history of loss and redemption adds layers to her character. Her chemistry with Renfro drives the film’s heartwarming and suspenseful moments.

Tommy Lee Jones, as the sharp and tenacious Roy Foltrigg, provides a strong counterbalance to Sarandon and Renfro. His portrayal of a politically motivated prosecutor is both intimidating and, at times, darkly humorous. The ensemble cast, including Mary-Louise Parker as Mark’s struggling mother and Anthony LaPaglia as the menacing Barry Muldano, adds richness to the film’s world.

Joel Schumacher’s direction keeps the narrative brisk and engaging, effectively balancing moments of tension with emotional beats. The screenplay, adapted by Akiva Goldsman and Robert Getchell, remains faithful to Grisham’s novel while streamlining its complex legal intricacies for a cinematic audience. The film’s suspenseful sequences, including a dramatic courtroom showdown and a climactic confrontation with mobsters, are expertly staged and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Beyond its surface as a legal thriller, The Client explores themes of justice, morality, and the resilience of the human spirit. Mark’s journey highlights the impact of trauma on children, while Reggie’s dedication to protecting him underscores the importance of empathy and integrity in a system often driven by power and ambition. The film also critiques the legal and political insтιтutions that prioritize personal gain over genuine justice.

The cinematography by Tony Pierce-Roberts captures the contrasts of Memphis, from the oppressive heat and rundown neighborhoods to the imposing courtrooms where Mark’s fate is debated. Howard Shore’s score enhances the film’s mood, blending tension with moments of warmth and humanity.

The Client received critical and commercial success, with particular praise for the performances of Sarandon and Renfro. Susan Sarandon earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, cementing the film’s reputation as more than just a typical thriller. Renfro’s breakout role showcased his immense talent, marking the beginning of a promising, albeit tragic, career.

With its blend of suspense, heartfelt storytelling, and powerful performances, The Client remains a standout in the legal thriller genre. It’s a film that entertains while provoking thought about justice, loyalty, and the bonds that form in the most unexpected circumstances.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.