MovieChat Forums > The Net (1995) Discussion > The Pelican Brief?!?

The Pelican Brief?!?


Isn't this movie a little too similar to The Pelican Brief? Pretty intelligent girl stumbles across something she shouldn't have, has to go into hiding to stay alive. Seeks help from her older male friend, who falls prey to the baddies. Eventually prevails in the end over the bad guys. I first though TPB copied off The Net, but TPB came out two years before The Net did.

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seems pretty formulaic in general. "stumbles across something she shouldn't have as the bad guys make life hard for her." throw in the "cop you can't trust" and "threats to family" and "credit cards bounce" and "love interest is playing her" and "being tailed by mysterious car" and "always happens to walk into a room with the TV showing the news that involves her." that's half of the thrillers in hollywood.

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It's the same formula. And remember, Sandra was the 'New Julia' when this movie came out! So some of her movies may have been very similar to Julia Roberts'.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

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Similar, yes. But both ridiculously entertaining. TPB was based upon a law novella. TN was written by a guy or guys. Jeremy Northam is a supremely effective baddie as was Stanley Tucci. Whilst I cannot fault Sandra's performance, Julia affected me more in her film. That having been said Sandra fought hard, physically against her antagonists, whilst Julia hardly broke a nail. Julia is the better screamer tho.

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I'd watch the engaging and funny Sandra Bullock's worst movie before I'd watch that hack Julia Roberts' so-called best movie.

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