High Crimes

High Crimes

Year: 2002

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Carl Franklin

DramaThrillerCrime

A successful lawyer's life is upended when her husband’s concealed history as a military operative surfaces, revealing accusations of a war crime. Determined to clear his name, she finds herself embroiled in a clandestine legal proceeding. She receives unexpected guidance from a resourceful mentor who challenges conventional methods and operates in the shadows, as she confronts powerful forces and uncovers unsettling truths about the man she thought she knew.

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High Crimes (2002) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the sun‑drenched suburbs of Marin County, Claire Kubik balances a soaring legal career with the quiet bliss of a seemingly ordinary marriage. As a sharp‑tongued attorney on the cusp of partnership, she moves through a world of polished courtrooms and corporate ambition, her confidence built on years of hard‑won victories. The coastal setting, with its breezy optimism, masks an undercurrent of tension that begins to surface when the ordinary day‑to‑day is abruptly interrupted.

The equilibrium shatters when Tom, her devoted husband and a woodworker with a gentle demeanor, is taken into custody by federal agents. The arrest reveals a concealed past tied to covert military operations, thrusting Claire into a labyrinth of secrets that extend far beyond the comfortable life she has known. Suddenly, her legal expertise is needed not for corporate disputes but for a case that blurs the line between civilian law and the shadowy mechanisms of military justice. The tone shifts to a gritty, suspense‑laden atmosphere where trust is tested and every revelation feels like a step deeper into an unseen battlefield.

Seeking guidance, Claire turns to an enigmatic mentor, Charlie Grimes, a former JAG attorney whose reputation for operating in the margins of the system precedes him. His unconventional approach challenges Claire’s methodical instincts, urging her to adopt strategies that lie outside the conventional courtroom playbook. Their dynamic becomes a study in contrasts: her polished, procedural mindset against his seasoned, street‑wise pragmatism, each pushing the other toward a deeper understanding of truth and responsibility.

As the story unfolds, the film maintains a tense, moody palette—rain‑slicked streets, hushed government corridors, and the quiet intensity of a woman fighting for the man she loves while confronting forces that rarely bend to personal will. The narrative invites viewers to ponder the fragile balance between legal duty and personal loyalty, setting the stage for a compelling exploration of justice hidden beneath layers of secrecy.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 11:28

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Characters, Settings & Themes in High Crimes

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