Presumed Innocent

You would agree that loyalty matters in a relationship, right? This is so with partnerships of all types, especially romantic ones. What would you do if this trust was broken? Sadly, some people react in ways that are counterproductive. For the most part though, people behave rationally — thinking, gaining some perspective on their situation before deciding their next move. You know the usual options, stay or leave. Apple TV’s Presumed Innocent is an 8-episode series largely about that question. Unlike the theatrical release in 1990 starring Harrison Ford, the story is presented in the most riveting way.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the series as Rusty Sabich, a respected prosecutor who finds himself on the defense side of the table when he is accused of killing his colleague/mistress out of rage. Carolyn Pohemus, played by Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World, A Different Man), is found bludgeoned and ritually bound in her apartment. All hell breaks loose when it is discovered that the pair had been involved in a long-term affair that even Rusty describes as his “obsession” with her. 

Based on Scott Turow’s 1987 novel of the same name, Presumed Innocent dramatically covers Rusty’s trial, giving it a dark suspense/thriller vibe fitting of Ginseng tea. The fallout from the discovery of Rusty’s relationship with Carolyn lands heavy on his colleagues and children much like a cup of Dandelion tea lands on the tongue. Not so much though on Barbara Sabich, Rusty’s spouse played by Ruth Negga (Loving, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).  Barbara’s sedate demeanor and self-effacing presentation tempers the heavy, bitter feel of the show with a Sage-like calmness. Rusty and his predicament are front and center, yet we are drawn to the peripheral story that is Barbara’s personal and private space.

Barbara is frequently presented alone, doing laundry, riding a stationary bike in her garage, and listening to Rusty as if she is obligated to do so because she is his partner. Film representations of betrayed spouses are typically depicted yelling and crying. Barbara, however, carries a quiet rage. She rarely speaks, so when she does, her kids, lawyers, and even Rusty listen like she is EF Hutton revealing something subtle yet profound. We only get a hint of her sentiments when she tells Rusty in very simple terms, “I know you. I know you couldn’t do this,” and then remains by his side during his trial.

Some might say that considering the extent of Rusty’s betrayal, Barbara’s unusual loyalty makes little sense. Money is not an issue for her family, so she is likely to maintain a comfortable lifestyle if she leaves him. It reminds me a bit of the 1993 film, Indecent Proposal, with Robert Redford as John Gage and Demi Moore as newlywed Diana Murphy. John is so taken by Diana, who is on her honeymoon, that he offers her a million dollars to sleep with him for just one night. Young and broke, she and her husband David (Woody Harrelson) reluctantly but strongly consider the proposal. 

Like Presumed Innocent, Indecent Proposal begs us to consider what we would do if our circumstances were similar to either scenario. Diana’s situation is complicated by her financial constraints, not by a betrayal of trust. Barbara’s isn’t similarly complicated, yet she stays despite the relative ease of her decision compared to Diana’s in Indecent Proposal. Thus, Barbara’s appeal is her extraordinary loyalty. It gives us pause, piques our curiosity about her, and leads us to question where the red line exists for ourselves.

During the story, Barbara meets Clifton, a tall, dark, and handsome bartender with a baritone voice like Barry White’s. She likes him as evidenced by her frequent midday returns to the empty upscale bar, and Clifton, played by Sarunas J. Jackson (Insecure, Good Trouble), enjoys her company as well. Interestingly, Clifton serves as our eyes and ears into Barbara’s sentiments on her predicament. He is, effectively, our proxy friend. As she sits alone in her thoughts, Clifton recognizes her from news reports and gently asks about her feelings on the situation. She has no clear answers. He is empathetic, which further enhances his appeal. These interactions tell us, though, that Barbara is reeling. She needs a friend who appreciates her circumstances and has no connection to her troubles. Through Clifton, we gain deep empathy for Barbara and come to appreciate why she seems aloof, detached, and lost.

On its face, Presumed Innocent is like the 2023 miniseries, Anatomy of a Scandal, with Rupert Friend starring as James Whitehouse, a wealthy politician accused of raping his former mistress. Sienna Miller plays his partner, Sophie, who, like Barbara, is also loyal and even attends James’s trial. Eventually for Sophie, however, the thousand cuts revealed at trial become too much and leads to clarity of her red line. This line seems to be elusive for Barbara.

I love works that lead us to question ourselves and dig deep to gain a deeper understanding of who we are. Whether it is betrayal or some other trigger, we have ideas on what we would do. But what do we do when the situation is no longer hypothetical, when we’re actually starring in a drama of our own predicament?