As a long-time fan of crime dramas and psychological thrillers, I was both intrigued and skeptical when I started watching “Presumed Innocent.” I had read the original novel years ago, but I couldn’t remember the ending, and I knew that the series would take some creative liberties.
*Warning – contains full spoilers for the Presumed Innocent finale*
It’s not unexpected that the movie “Presumed Innocent,” released in 1990 with Harrison Ford in the lead role, deviated from the source novel of the same name.
One noteworthy aspect is that leading actor Jake Gyllenhaal has emphasized that the series will take a “completely new” approach in contrast to previous adaptations of the story. Additionally, Apple TV+ chose not to share the episode with the press prior to its release – an unconventional decision for them, suggesting a potential surprise.
In conclusion, since many individuals are familiar with the ending of both the book and television adaptations, maintaining viewer engagement and keeping them in suspense can be achieved by introducing changes to the narrative.
Changing the ending could be a daring choice, but it’s important to remember that the current conclusion holds significance. It was carefully planned out and integrated into the narrative. Any modifications should be made thoughtfully and with the story’s best interest in mind.
To put it simply, while the altered finale of Presumed Innocent does have its drawbacks, overall it has proved effective.
In the closing scenes of Presumed Innocent, both the novel and its film version, it’s disclosed that Rusty wasn’t responsible for the murder of Carolyn Polhemus, his colleague and lover. Instead, the true culprit was none other than his wife, Barbara.
In a heated moment of jealousy, she took Carolyn’s life, leaving behind only subtle clues at the crime scene. It’s unclear if her actions were intended to provide Rusty with enough evidence to identify her as the culprit or to implicate him in the murder instead, as a form of retaliation.
Midway through the final episode, the show appeared to be following a familiar path. Rusty avoided conviction, went back home, and faced off against Barbara.
He confessed in a significant departure from the original story’s conclusion that he was the one who bound and gagged Carolyn, creating an illusion of a gruesome, sadomasochistic killing similar to another case they had worked on together.
Based on my extensive experience as a seasoned detective, I can tell you that there are moments in our line of work when instinct takes over and logic dictates a certain course of action. In this instance, the evidence was not clear-cut, but something deep within me told me that Barbara was the one who had committed the murder. The urgency to cover it up for her was palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the person I believed had been manipulated into such a desperate situation. With heavy heart, I decided to take matters into my own hands and help Barbara hide her secret – not because I condoned what she had done, but because I understood that sometimes, life can push us to the brink, and we all deserve a second chance.
As Rusty explained this to Barbara, she vehemently protested her innocence. He believed she’d committed the crime while in a dissociative state, with her anger overpowering her consciousness. He had identified her as the culprit by following her car and discovering that she was the one who hid the fire poker used to kill Carolyn at Tommy Molto’s residence.
Yet, as Barbara persisted in asserting her innocence, unexpectedly their daughter Jaden, a new character introduced in the story not present in the book, walked in, unveiling the truth that Barbara was not the culprit – she was the killer instead.
Instead of just planning to scold Carolyn regarding the affair, Jaden was taken aback when he learned that she was carrying Rusty’s child. This shocking news caused Jaden to lose control, leading him to strike Carolyn with a poker and fatally injure her. Before Rusty arrived home to discover the tragic scene, Jaden managed to flee.
Shocked by their daughter’s actions, Rusty and Barbara decided to keep quiet about it and carry on with their lives as if it never occurred.
Later on, as the family appeared to be having a great time together, Rusty and Barbara exchanged significant looks – denial was no longer an option for them; they both understood that their daughter had taken a life.
From a film enthusiast’s perspective, I was taken aback by an unexpected turn of events. It felt like a sudden jolt out of the blue, designed to leave even the most seasoned viewers baffled. For those unfamiliar with the original ending, Rusty accusing Barbara would have been a surprising enough twist, but that resolution was swiftly reversed in an instant.
It’s worth pondering if the show could have benefited from adding a few more scenes to delve deeper into the consequences of that surprise ending. Given that the storyline stretched over eight episodes and pushed the boundaries, some additional time at the end would have been valuable for providing a more satisfying conclusion.
After careful consideration, it seems that taking this approach was indeed beneficial for the series in various aspects, not just for creating surprise or novelty.
Initially, the unique twist in the novel’s conclusion may have appeared fresh. However, with the passage of time, the idea of a jealous wife turning into a murderer feels overused and unoriginal. Worse still, it perpetuates outdated gender stereotypes.
Paraphrasing: Ruth Negga delivered an exceptional portrayal of Barbara in the show, adding depth and complexity to a character initially perceived as merely an aggrieved spouse. Introducing a twist where she becomes a femme fatale would have negated these developments, forcing a reevaluation not only of her interactions with Rusty but also with other characters’ scenes featuring Barbara.
An additional aspect to consider is that Rusty and Barbara’s choice to remain a couple despite the circumstances strains belief. Throughout the show, we learn that Rusty is a despicable individual with a suspicious past, suspected of murder and habitually untruthful, repeatedly expressing his affections for another woman.
Meanwhile, she shares a kiss with a man not her husband, and he grills her with intense questioning. It’s high time she dismissed him from her home, which she ought to have done months earlier.
Adding the disclosure that she killed Carolyn to the situation would make the emotions and actions too intricate to follow, and their reasons for remaining a couple would appear unclear at most.
Despite the surprising revelation at the end, Jaden’s two confidants might feel compelled to stand by her side and safeguard her. Being privy to the truth, they bear the responsibility of protecting and looking out for her.
The last scene, showing the family happily laughing and shining with joy, feels unsettling. Despite their deep affection for Jaden, Rusty and Barbara seem to harbor a hidden fear towards him. Moreover, we’ve uncovered that there is another buried secret within this family, as they conceal the truth from their son Kyle.
In simpler terms, the surprise ending of “Presumed Innocent” might not align completely with the main ideas presented in the series up until then. The resolution could appear sudden and lacking in depth.
Instead of unveiling Jaden as the killer, the show could have taken a predictable route. But by introducing this twist, not only does it shock both book readers and film viewers, it also eliminates an overused cliché. This leaves the audience with a more unsettling ending than anticipated.
The mystery-centered show has surprisingly been given a green light for a second season. This time around, it’s expected that an entirely new case will be tackled, which is great news for fans. Despite some initial confusion about the renewal, the first season successfully resolved its central mystery by taking a risky approach.
It’s now time to let the Sabichs face their ominous and disturbing futures as suggested by the final scene, rather than delving deeper into their bleak fate through further filming.
Presumed Innocent is available to stream in full on Apple TV+ now. Sign up to Apple TV+ now.
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2024-07-24 17:06