High Crimes

The 2002 American legal thriller directed by Carl Franklin follows Claire Kubik (Ashley Judd), a successful San Francisco attorney whose life is upended when her husband Tom (Jim Caviezel) is arrested by the FBI and charged with the murder of nine civilians in El Salvador in 1988, operating under the alias Ronald Chapman. Shocked by the revelation of her husband's true identity, Claire decides to defend him in a military court, despite her lack of experience in military law. She enlists the help of seasoned but cynical former military attorney Charles Grimes (Morgan Freeman). As the case unfolds, it becomes apparent that Tom's charges may be part of a larger military conspiracy aimed at covering up crimes committed during the Salvadoran operation. Claire and Grimes face numerous obstacles, including the disappearance of key witnesses and pressure from military authorities. Their investigation uncovers that Tom may not be who he claims to be, and his past harbors dark secrets. The film's climax reveals unexpected twists, challenging notions of trust and truth within relationships.