Deck Shifflet is squirmy. Confident; knows his limits. The jotter appears when we learn the full resources of Deck, applied to helping Rudy win. Deck pulls poor Rudy Baylor from the clutches of Bruiser in the nick of time; convincing him to set up a new law firm. In the moment above he contacts Bruiser for help; which no one knows is possible nor wise, nor beneficial. Bruiser recalls an actual law statue (though labeled differently) corrects a misunderstood and mis adapted part of the law (rare for Coppola and Grishham to miss) through Bruiser’s (Mickey Rourke) exceptional memory, especially as it applies to breaking the law while winning cases.
In a film with an obvious hero — Rudy Baylor/Matt Damon. A slimy good guy — Bruiser. A slough of slime — Jon Voight, Roy Schieder. A brilliant judge — Danny Glover. We could easily miss the brilliant efficiency of this film, the substance, tone and heart of Damon and Devito as they walk with each of their clients — as it tuns out, none of whom will pay them.
This is the moment we can tell Devito is utilizing a Parker Jotter, the preeminent Hollywood prop whispering, “Do not miss the nobility of this character.” Earlier in the film, when he is training Rudy in ambulance chasing he has a pen, but we do not get a good look at it. It sounds like a jotter, but we are not sure. In retrospect, this is how the jotter works indirectly. We don’t yet know if we can trust him. We like him — he knows the doctor and the security guard by name… charming? Sure. Does he benefit? Yes. We do not know as they leave the hospital whether we can trust or rely upon Deck Schiffler.
This is widely believed to be the best adaptation of a Grisham novel. Coppola captures the near disgust Baylor has for his chosen profession — much different than the energy of Cusack/Hackman/Hoffmann in Runaway Jury, Roberts/Washington in the Pelican Brief, and easily of Cruise/Tripplehorn/Hackman in the Firm. It is also Grisham’s favorite of the adaptations.
Jotter in Film 